Nicki Minaj‘s “Only” flies 10-1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, giving the artist her fourth No. 1 — the most among female rappers in the 56 years since the chart launched as a sales/airplay hybrid tally.
Minaj surpasses Missy Elliott (with three leaders), and pulls ahead of Da Brat and Iggy Azalea (each with two). They are the only female rappers with multiple No. 1s.
Nicki Minaj Responds to Criticism of ‘Only’ Lyric Video: ‘I’d Never Condone Nazism in My Art’
“Only” — featuring Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown — zooms to No. 1 following the Dec. 12 release of its music video. It’s up 82 percent in overall chart points, powered by the streaming of the song and its video (up 157 percent in streams according to Nielsen Music, earning the chart’s Greatest Gainer/Streaming honor). Eighty percent of the tune’s streaming clicks for the week came from Vevo on YouTube.
The new No. 1 also gives Drake his 12th leader on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Lil Wayne notches his ninth crowning song with the climb, while Chris Brown nets his fifth.
On R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, “Only” takes the Greatest Gainer tag, hopping 7-5. A 27 percent rise in audience at the format bumps impressions to 24.2 million, according to Nielsen Music — its best week since its Nov. 17 debut.
“Only” is one of three charting cuts on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs from Minaj’s The Pinkprint album. “Bed of Lies,” featuring Skylar Grey, dips 25-30 in its fourth chart week, while “Anaconda” steps 18-17 in its 19th week, following its previous six-week run at No. 1.
