SOURCE: forbes.com
Throughout his lifetime, Michael Jackson scored 13 No. 1 hits on the Hot 100. That’s one of the greatest accumulations among all artists, and those tunes spent a cumulative 37 weeks in charge of the list of the most-consumed smashes in the country. More than a decade following his passing, and much longer since he last controlled the tally, the superstar’s tenure on top has been tied once more.
Bruno Mars is steady at No. 1 on the Hot 100 this week. He and Lady Gaga keep their throwback duet “Die with a Smile” on the throne for a third frame, and as they do, the singer matches Jackson’s historic run in first place on the competitive chart.
As “Die with a Smile” continues to rule, Mars collects his thirty-seventh stay on the Hot 100’s top spot. According to Billboard, he matches Jackson’s run, which stood as the longest any solo male act had ever led the charge for years…though the crooner isn’t the first to pass the late, great singer and dancer.
Drake holds the record for the most frames in charge of the Hot 100 when looking only at male musicians working on their own. He’s now up to 56 weeks at No. 1. Usher comes in second place, with 47 stays in the penthouse.
Among all musical acts, Mars and Jackson are now tied for eighth place for the most weeks spent at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Mariah Carey rules, with 97, followed by Rihanna (60) and The Beatles (59).
Before this week, when “Die with a Smile” was on top for only its second stint, Mars was matched with another one of today’s biggest stars: Taylor Swift. Now, he’s passed her 36 weeks at No. 1, though she is sure to return to the summit at some point soon, as these days she never stays away from the peak position for long.
Mars has accrued nine No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 throughout his career as an artist, so he managed to match Jackson’s showing with four fewer winners. He’s close to scoring another champion, as well, as “Apt.,” his collaboration with Blackpink singer Rosé, may rise soon. This frame, it keeps at No. 5, but the cut could climb when Billboard refreshes its rankings again in short order.