French Montana scores his first No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart (dated Aug. 19) as “Unforgettable,” featuring Swae Lee, steps 2-1.
The Moroccan-born rapper previously reached as high as No. 2 with “Pop That,” featuring Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne in 2012. It’s also the first leader for Swae Lee as a soloist, who also topped the chart as one-half of Rae Sremmurd, whose “Black Beatles” reigned for eight weeks in 2016-17.
“Unforgettable” hits the summit in its 16th charting week and its relatively late ascent is one of the 10 lengthiest climbs to No. 1 of 319 leaders since the chart began in 1989. The slow rise is the longest to No. 1 since Drake’s “Too Good,” featuring Rihanna, required an identical 16 weeks to hit the top last year.
Here is a look at the 10 songs who have needed the most time to occupy the penthouse:
Weeks to No. 1, Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
28, “Do or Die,” Po Pimp featuring Twista, Oct. 26, 1996
22, “Drank in My Cup,” Kirko Bangz, May 26, 2012
22, “Watch Me,” Silento, Aug. 8, 2015
19, “Independent,” Webbie featuring Lil Phat & Lil’ Boosie, March 22, 2008
18, “Get Low,” Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz featuring Ying Yang Twins, Sept. 6, 2003
17, “We Fly High,” Jim Jones, Jan. 20, 2007
17, “Put On,” Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West, Sept. 13, 2008
16, “P.I.M.P.,” 50 Cent, Aug. 23, 2003
16, “Too Good,” Drake featuring Rihanna, Sept. 3, 2016
16, “Unforgettable,” French Montana featuring Swae Lee, Aug. 19, 2017
“Unforgettable” ascends with gains in digital sales (37,000 in the week ending Aug. 3, according to Nielsen Music, up 52 percent) streams (27.7 million, up 26 percent) and radio (81 million in audience for the week ending Aug. 6, up 9 percent).
As it tops Hot Rap Songs, Montana’s hit also enjoys new peaks on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, climbing 4-2 and the Billboard Hot 100, stepping 6-3.
Cardi Keeps Climbing: Meanwhile, Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” marches into the top 10 of Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with a 12-8 hike in its fifth week on the list. The tune leaps 13-6 on Streaming Songs (24.5 million U.S. streams, according to Nielsen Music, up 56 percent), rises 35-20 on Digital Song Sales (22,000 sold according to Nielsen Music, up 39 percent) and nears Radio Songs (22 million in audience, up 54 percent).
‘Loyalty.’ Renewed: Also in the top 10 on Hot Rap Songs, Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.,” featuring Rihanna, returns to the tier with a 19-10 leap, after having reached No. 6 upon its debut in May alongside several other tracks from the rapper’s DAMN. album. The “Loyalty.” music video release on July 28 prompts the top 10 resurgence and lifts the tune to 14.8 million streams in the U.S., up 96 percent. The rally triggers a No. 21 re-entrance for the cut on Streaming Songs.
Dej Loaf Rises: Meanwhile, on Rhythmic Songs, Dej Loaf’s “No Fear” scales 11-9 to become her third top 10 after both her collaboration with Kid Ink, “Be Real,” hit No. 4 and “Back Up,” featuring Big Sean reached No. 6 in 2015. “Fear” climbs with a 17 percent gain in spins for the week.
