Nicki Minaj Tops Michael Jackson for Most Hot 100 Hits
According to Yahoo!, Minaj earns her 51st Hot 100 entry as “Anaconda” debuts at No. 19 this week. The King of Pop has 50 chart hits under his belt, from 1971’s “Got to Be There” to this year’s “Slave to the Rhythm” and “Love Never Felt So Good” off his posthumous album Xscape.
So how did Nicki accomplish this feat in such a short amount of time? Billboard now credits artists for featured appearances, whereas before they had to earn every hit on their own.
“Anaconda” becomes Minaj’s 20th Hot 100 hit as a lead or co-lead artist. The rest of her hits have been features. Jackson, on the other hand, has been in the lead or co-lead spot on all 50 of his Hot 100 hits.
“Made history today,” tweeted Minaj, who will perform “Anaconda” at the VMAs on August 24. “I didn’t even know I was tied with Michael Jackson with 50 Hot 100 entries on Billboard. Anaconda makes 51 and now I’m tied with Rod Stewart. God bless, and thank you.”
The Pinkprint rapper also maintains the most Hot 100 hits among female rappers (Missy Elliott follows with 31) and ties Eminem for seventh place among all rappers.
She may soon have two top 10 records on the Hot 100 as “Bang Bang,” her collaboration with Jessie J and Ariana Grande, sits at No. 9.