Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' Headed for No. 1 Debut
Childish Gambino’s new single “This Is America” could very well top the Billboard Hot 100.
According to projections, the politically-charged song is battling Drake’s “Nice for What” for the No. 1 spot on next week’s chart.
Gambino could draw 50 million U.S. streams, 8 million units with radio, and 60,000 downloads in his first week out. These numbers could be enough to dethrone Drake’s “Nice for What,” which has remained No. 1 for four weeks.
But “Nice” could put up a fight. The song is on track to do 45 million U.S. streams, 70 million in airplay, and 20,000 downloads in the past week. The results will be released Monday (May 14).
“This Is America” will definitely be Gambino’s biggest debut yet. His previous high came last year, when “Redbone” hit No. 12. None of his other songs ever made it past No. 64.
The single arrived to critical acclaim. However, Gambino told “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that he hasn’t seen too much of the online fanfare. “I haven’t been on the internet since Thursday night before ‘Saturday Night Live,'” he said. “I was like, ‘I don’t want to be in all the mix.’ It’s bad for me. I’m really sensitive.”
“This Is America” and “Saturday,” both of which he debuted on “SNL,” are expected to appear on Gambino’s final album.