Official Billboard Article
Rihanna Rules Hot 100 With 'Rude Boy' Track
Rihanna replaces labelmate Taio Cruz atop the Billboard Hot 100, set to be released tomorrow (Thursday, March 18), as her latest single "Rude Boy" jumps 4-1.
"Rude" is Rihanna's sixth Hot 100 No. 1 and fifth as a lead artist. Her most recent chart-topper had been as a featured vocalist on T.I.'s "Live Your Life" in 2008. Her other leaders are "SOS" (2006, three weeks), "Umbrella," featuring Jay-Z (2007, seven weeks), "Take A Bow" (2008, 1 week) and "Disturbia" (2008, two weeks)
Since debuting on the scene in June 2005 with the No. 2-peaking "Pon De Replay," Rihanna has posted more Hot 100 No. 1 than any other artist. Next in line is Justin Timberlake who's scored five chart-toppers during this span.
With "Rude Boy" knocking Cruz's "Break Your Heart" (1-3) out of the top slot, the Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) label posts back-to-back Hot 100 No. 1s for the first time since "Gold Digger" by Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx replaced Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" at the head of the chart dated Sept. 17, 2005. "Heart" continues to top the Digital Songs chart, moving 202,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan (down 26%).
Stuck in the runner-up slot is Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now," which does, however, get to celebrate a 4-1 move on Radio Songs. The act becomes the first country duo or group to top that chart since it launched in December 1990, and only the second country act to do so, following Taylor Swift, who led with "You Belong With Me" this past October.
Elsewhere in the Hot 100 top 10, the Black Eyed Peas rebound 5-4 with its former No. 1 "Imma Be" while newcomer B.o.B, with help from Bruno Mars, takes the Digital Gainer award (up 77%) as "Nothin' On You" soars 16-5.
Train's "Hey, Soul Sister" rebounds 7-6 to match its prior peak from two weeks ago, while Young Money's "BedRock" rolls downhill 3-7, one spot ahead of Ke$ha's "TiK ToK" (6-8).
On the heels of its video premiere, Lady Gaga and Beyonce's "Telephone" dials up an 11-9 move. The track is Gaga's sixth straight single to hit the top 10, while Beyonce ups her top 10 tally to 14. Beyonce's sum ties Rihanna for most top 10s since 2000 among female artists. Ludacris' 16 are the most by any act during the past 10-plus years.
Rounding out the top 10 is Jason Derulo's "In My Head" which slides 8-10.
Drake claims the Hot 100's Hot Shot Debut as "Over" enters at No. 35, one of just three new titles on the list this week.