The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

chart A chart (sometimes known as a graph) is a graphical representation for data visualization, in which "the data is represented by symbols, such as bars in a bar chart, lines in a line chart, or slices in a pie chart". A chart can represent tabu ...

ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 positions but was shortened to 50 positions in October 2012. The chart is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues,

doo-wop Doo-wop (also spelled doowop and doo wop) is a genre of rhythm and blues music that originated in African-American communities during the 1940s, mainly in the large cities of the United States, including New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chica ...

, rock and roll, soul, and

funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African Americans in the m ...

, it is today dominated by contemporary R&B and hip hop. Since its inception, the chart has changed its name many times in order to accurately reflect the industry at the time.

History

Beginning in 1942, ''Billboard'' published a chart of bestselling black music, first as the Harlem Hit Parade, then as Race Records. Then in 1949, ''Billboard'' began publishing a Rhythm and Blues chart, which entered "R&B" into mainstream lexicon. These three charts were consolidated into a single R&B chart in October 1958. From November 30, 1963, to January 23, 1965, there were no ''Billboard'' R&B singles charts. The "Hot R&B Singles" chart was discontinued when ''Billboard'' determined it unnecessary due to so much crossover of titles between the R&B and pop charts in light of the rise of

Motown Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of ''moto ...

. The chart was reinstated as "Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles" on January 30, 1965. Beginning August 23, 1969, the rhythm and blues was replaced in favor of "soul", and the chart was renamed to "Best Selling Soul Singles". The move was made by a ''Billboard'' editorial decision that the term "soul" more accurately accounted for the "broad range of song and instrumental material which derives from the musical genius of the black American". In late June 1982, the chart was renamed again, this time to "Black Singles" because the music that African-Americans were buying and listening to had a "greater stylistic variety than the soul sound" of the early 1970s. Black Singles was deemed an acceptable term to encompass pop, funk, and early rap music popular in urban communities. Beginning October 27, 1990, the Hot Black Singles chart was renamed Hot R&B Singles. Hip hop was introduced to the chart beginning with the December 11, 1999 issue, when ''Billboard'' changed the name to "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks" to recognize the influence and relationship of hip hop to the genre. Shortly after that time, the crossover of R&B titles on pop charts was so significant that all Top Ten songs on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart on October 11, 2003, were by black artists. The lengthy title was shortened to "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" on April 30, 2005. The chart's methodology was changed starting with the October 20, 2012 issue to match that of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, incorporating digital downloads and video streaming data (R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs) and combining it with airplay of R&B and hip-hop songs across all radio formats to determine song position, along with the chart also being shortened to 50 positions.

Significant song achievements

Most weeks at number one

20 weeks * " Old Town Road" (2019) – Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus 18 weeks *" The Honeydripper (Parts 1 & 2)" (1945) –

Joe Liggins Joseph Christopher Liggins, Jr. (born Theodro Elliott; July 9, 1916 – July 26, 1987) was an American R&B, jazz and blues pianist and vocalist who led Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers in the 1940s and 1950s. His band appeared often on the ''B ...

and His Honeydrippers *" Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" (1946) – Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five *" One Dance" (2016) – Drake featuring Wizkid and

Kyla Kyla may refer to: *Kyla (given name), including a list of people with the name ** Kyla (Filipino singer) (born 1981), Filipino R&B singer **Kyla (British singer) Kyla Reid ( Smith; born 22 September 1983) is a British house music singer in the ...

*" Industry Baby" (2021-2022) - Lil Nas X featuring Jack Harlow 17 weeks *" Ain't Nobody Here but Us Chickens" (1947) – Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five 16 weeks *" Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" (1946) –

Lionel Hampton Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002) was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, and bandleader. Hampton worked with jazz musicians from Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman, and Buddy Rich, to Charlie Parker, Charles M ...

and His Orchestra *"

Blurred Lines "Blurred Lines" is a song by American singer Robin Thicke featuring American rappers T.I. and Pharrell Williams from the former's sixth studio album of the same name (2013). Solely produced by Williams, it was released as the album's lead si ...

" (2013) – Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and

Pharrell Williams Pharrell Lanscilo Williams (; born April 5, 1973) is an American record producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter. Alongside close colleague Chad Hugo, he formed the hip hop and R&B production duo the Neptunes in the early 1990s, with whom he ...

15 weeks *"

Trouble Blues "Trouble Blues" is a 1949 single by The Charles Brown Trio. The single was the most successful of the trio's career and peaked at number one on the R&B chart for fifteen weeks. At fifteen weeks on the R&B Best Sellers chart, "Trouble Blues" was ...

" (1949) – The Charles Brown Trio *" Be Without You" (2006) – Mary J. Blige 14 weeks *"

Don't Cry Baby "Don't Cry Baby" is a song composed by James P. Johnson, with lyrics by Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger. The song was first recorded on October 11, 1929 by Bessie Smith, who was accompanied on piano by Johnson. The song was revived in 1943 by jazz ...

" (1943) – Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra *" Boogie Woogie Blue Plate" (1947) – Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five *"

The Huckle-Buck "The Hucklebuck" (sometimes written "The Huckle-Buck") is a jazz and R&B dance tune first popularized by Paul Williams and His Hucklebuckers in 1949. The composition of the tune was credited to Andy Gibson, and lyrics were later added by Roy ...

" (1949) –

Paul Williams Paul Williams may refer to: Authors * Paul O. Williams (1935–2009), American science-fiction author and poet * Paul L. Williams (author) (born 1944), FBI consultant, journalist * Paul Williams (journalist) (1948–2013), American founder of mu ...

and His Hucklebucklers * " Black Night" (1951) – Charles Brown *" Sixty Minute Man" (1951) – The Dominoes *" The Things That I Used to Do" (1954) – Guitar Slim *" Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" (1998–1999) – Deborah Cox *" We Belong Together" (2005) –

Mariah Carey Mariah Carey (; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Referred to as the " Songbird Supreme", she is noted for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whi ...

*" Blame It" (2009) – Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain *" Pretty Wings" (2009) –

Maxwell Maxwell may refer to: People * Maxwell (surname), including a list of people and fictional characters with the name ** James Clerk Maxwell, mathematician and physicist * Justice Maxwell (disambiguation) * Maxwell baronets, in the Baronetage o ...

*" Diamonds" (2012–2013) –

Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...

*" Thrift Shop" (2013) – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz *" See You Again" (2015) – Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth *" Rockstar" (2017–18) – Post Malone featuring

21 Savage Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph (born October 22, 1992), known professionally as 21 Savage, is a rapper based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Born in London, he moved to Atlanta with his mother at age seven. He became known after releasing two m ...

13 weeks *" Pink Champagne" (1950) – Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers *" Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2)" (1956) – Bill Doggett *"

Can't Be Friends "Can't Be Friends" is an R&B song by American recording artist Trey Songz. It was officially sent to U.S. urban radio on September 28, 2010 as the second single of Songz' fourth studio album, ''Passion, Pain & Pleasure''. The song is produced by M ...

" (2010–2011) – Trey Songz *" The Monster" (2013–2014) –

Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem (; often stylized as EMINƎM), is an American rapper and record producer. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in middle America and is critically acclai ...

featuring Rihanna *"

Fancy Fancy may refer to: Places * Fancy, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a settlement * Fancy River, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Music Albums * ''Fancy'' (Bobbie Gentry album), 1970 * ''Fancy'' (Idiot Flesh album), 1997 * ''Fancy'' (video ...

" (2014) – Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX 12 weeks *"

(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch and Grab It "(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch and Grab It" is a 1947 novelty song composed by Sharon A. Pease. The song was performed by Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends. The single was number one on the US ''Billboard'' R&B chart A chart (sometimes ...

" (1947) – Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends *" Saturday Night Fish Fry" (1949) – Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five *" Searchin'" (1957) – The Coasters *" Bump n' Grind" (1994) – R. Kelly *" Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008–2009) –

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...

*" Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" (2010) – Alicia Keys *"

Happy Happiness, in the context of mental or emotional states, is positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Other forms include life satisfaction, well-being, subjective well-being, flourishing and eudaimonia. Sinc ...

" (2014) – Pharrell Williams *" Blinding Lights" (2021) – The Weeknd

Songs with most weeks on the chart

* 75 weeks – " Be Without You" – Mary J. Blige (2005) * 74 weeks – "

God In Me "God in Me" is a song by American contemporary gospel duo Mary Mary featuring American gospel singer Kierra "Kiki" Sheard. It was released as the second single from their fourth studio album '' The Sound'' (2008), and was also featured on their gre ...

" –

Mary Mary Mary Mary is a female American urban contemporary gospel duo composed of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell (born April 29, 1972) and Trecina Atkins-Campbell (born May 1, 1974). Formed in 1998, Mary Mary was launched into mainstream recognition fo ...

(2009) * 73 weeks – "On the Ocean" – K'Jon (2009) * 71 weeks – ::" You Make Me Wanna..." –

Usher Usher may refer to: Several jobs which originally involved directing people and ensuring people are in the correct place: * Usher (occupation) ** Church usher ** Wedding usher, one of the male attendants to the groom in a wedding ceremony ** Fiel ...

(1997) ::" There Goes My Baby" –

(2010) * 70 weeks – "

Step in the Name of Love "Step in the Name of Love (Remix)" is a hit song by R&B singer R. Kelly. Taken from the 2003 album ''Chocolate Factory'', the song became the tenth single from Kelly (and the final one to date) to reach #1 on the R&B chart, particularly on the ...

" – R. Kelly (2003) * 66 weeks – ::" Blinding Lights" - The Weeknd (2020) * 63 weeks – ::" In My Bed" – Dru Hill (1997) * 60 weeks – " Too Close" – Next (1997) * 59 weeks – ::" Pretty Wings" –

(2009) ::" Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" – Alicia Keys (2010) ::" Sure Thing" – Miguel (2011) * 58 weeks – ::" When I See U" –

Fantasia Fantasia International Film Festival (also known as Fantasia-fest, FanTasia, and Fant-Asia) is a film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996. Regularly held in July of each year, it is valued by both hardcore ...

(2007) ::" Teachme" – Musiq Soulchild (2007) ::" Love on Top" –

(2011) * 56 weeks – ::" If I Ain't Got You" – Alicia Keys (2004) ::" Lost Without U" – Robin Thicke (2007) ::" Until the End of Time" –

Justin Timberlake Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with sales of over 88 million records. Timberlake is the recipient of numerous awards and ac ...

(2008) * 55 weeks – ::" Heaven Sent" – Keyshia Cole (2008) ::" Spotlight" – Jennifer Hudson (2008) ::"

Drank in My Cup "Drank in My Cup" is a song by American rapper Kirko Bangz. It is taken from his mixtape ''Progression 2: A Young Texas Playa''. The Sound M.O.B. produced single is his highest-charting song to date and has sold over 1,000,000 copies digitally. Th ...

" – Kirko Bangz (2011) ::" Adorn" – Miguel (2012) * 54 weeks – ::"Stay" – Tyrese (2011) ::" Thrift Shop" – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz (2012) * 52 weeks – ::" We Belong Together" –

(2005) ::" Up!" – LoveRance feat.

Iamsu Sudan Ameer Williams (born November 16, 1989), better known by his stage name Iamsu! (stylized as IamSu! or IAMSU!), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is also a part of the production team The Invasion and lea ...

& Skipper or

50 Cent Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and businessman. Born in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, Jackson began pursuing a musical career in 2000, when he produced ...

(2011) ::" Thinkin Bout You" – Frank Ocean (2013) ::" Can't Hold Us" – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton (2013) ::" All of Me" – John Legend (2014)

Longest climbs to number one

*43rd week – "

" by R. Kelly *35th week – " All of Me" by John Legend *32nd week – " Needed Me" by

Source:

Significant artist achievements

Most number-one singles

The artists with the most No. 1 hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart since October 1958.

Artists with most weeks at number one on the chart

† Pre-October 1958 charts.

Most top 10 singles

Most chart entries

Most entries on chart since October 1958.

Self-replacement at number one

* Dinah Washington, July 25, 1960: " A Rockin' Good Way (to Mess Around and Fall in Love)" with Brook Benton replaced by " This Bitter Earth" * Freddie Jackson, November 15, 1986: " A Little Bit More" with Melba Moore replaced by "

Tasty Love "Tasty Love" is a 1986 R&B/Soul single by American singer Freddie Jackson. As the lead single from his second album, ''Just Like the First Time'', it was Jackson's fourth number–one single on the R&B charts, where it was at the top spot for fo ...

" *

Nelly Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. (born November 2, 1974), better known by his stage name Nelly, is an American rapper, singer, actor and entrepreneur. He embarked on his music career with the hip hop group St. Lunatics in 1993 and signed to Universal ...

, August 24, 2002: " Hot in Herre" replaced by " Dilemma" featuring Kelly Rowland *

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of ...

, August 16, 2003: " Crazy in Love" (

featuring Jay-Z) replaced by " Frontin'" ( Pharrell featuring Jay-Z) *

, April 16, 2005: " Candy Shop" featuring Olivia replaced by " Hate It or Love It" (

The Game The Game or The Games may refer to: Sports and games * The Game (dice game) (German: ''Das Spiel''), a dice game designed by Reinhold Wittig * The Game (mind game), a mind game, the objective of which is to avoid thinking about The Game itself * ...

featuring 50 Cent) * Alicia Keys, January 5, 2008: " No One" replaced by " Like You'll Never See Me Again" * Drake, February 26, 2011: " Fall for Your Type" ( Jamie Foxx featuring Drake) replaced by " Moment 4 Life" ( Nicki Minaj featuring Drake) * Lil Wayne, July 26, 2011: "

Motivation Motivation is the reason for which humans and other animals initiate, continue, or terminate a behavior at a given time. Motivational states are commonly understood as forces acting within the agent that create a disposition to engage in goal-dire ...

" (Kelly Rowland featuring Lil Wayne) replaced by " I'm on One" ( DJ Khaled featuring Drake,

Rick Ross William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), known professionally as Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Prior to releasing his debut single, "Hustlin'", in 2006, Ross was the subject of a bidding war, receiving offers from Sean Combs, D ...

and Lil Wayne) * Drake, February 25, 2012: " Make Me Proud" featuring Nicki Minaj replaced by " The Motto" featuring Lil Wayne *

2 Chainz Tauheed K. Epps (born September 12, 1977), known professionally as 2 Chainz (or Tity Boi), is an American rapper. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, he initially gained recognition as one-half of the Southern hip hop duo Playaz Circle, al ...

, August 18, 2012: " Mercy" with Kanye West, Big Sean and Pusha T replaced by "

No Lie No (and variant writings) may refer to one of these articles: English language * Yes and no, ''Yes'' and ''no'' (responses) * A English determiners, determiner in noun phrases Alphanumeric symbols * No (kana), a letter/syllable in Japanese s ...

" featuring Drake * Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, May 4, 2013: " Thrift Shop" featuring Wanz replaced by " Can't Hold Us" featuring Ray Dalton * The Weeknd, October 3, 2015: " Can't Feel My Face" replaced by " The Hills" * Drake, Feb. 20, 2016: “ Work” (

featuring Drake) replaced by "

Summer Sixteen "Summer Sixteen" is a single by Canadian rapper Drake, released to promote his fourth studio album ''Views'', although it was not included on that album. The song premiered on OVO Sound Radio and was released for digital download on January 30, 20 ...

" * DJ Khaled, July 29, 2017: " I'm the One" featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo,

Chance the Rapper Chancelor Johnathan Bennett (born April 16, 1993), known professionally as Chance the Rapper, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Chicago, Bennett released his debut mixtape '' 10 Day'' in 2012. He ...

& Lil Wayne replaced by " Wild Thoughts" featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller * Drake, April 21, 2018: " God’s Plan" replaced by " Nice for What" * Drake, July 21, 2018: "Nice for What" replaced by " In My Feelings" * Travis Scott, November 3, 2018: " Zeze" ( Kodak Black featuring Travis Scott and

Offset Offset or Off-Set may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * "Off-Set", a song by T.I. and Young Thug from the '' Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' * ''Offset'' (EP), a 2018 EP by singer Kim Chung-ha * ''Offset'' (film), a 200 ...

) replaced by " Sicko Mode" * Post Malone, April 6, 2019: " Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse)", with

Swae Lee Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown (born June 7, 1993), known professionally as Swae Lee, is an American singer and rapper. Known for his wide vocal range and genre-bending, Swae Lee is one half of the hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd with his brother Slim J ...

replaced by " Wow." * Lizzo, November 23, 2019: " Truth Hurts" replaced by "

Good as Hell "Good as Hell" is a song recorded by the American singer and rapper Lizzo. Written by Lizzo and producer Ricky Reed, it was released on March 8, 2016, by Atlantic Records and Nice Life Recording Company as the lead single from her first extended ...

" Source:

Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs was a chart composed of 25 positions that represented songs making progress to chart on the main R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Many times, songs halted their progress at this chart and never debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart could have also been seen as a 25 position quasi-addendum to the chart, since the chart represented the 25 songs below position number 50 that had not previously appeared on the main chart.

References

;Works cited * * ;Notes

External links

Current ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hot RandB Hip-Hop Songs Billboard charts