Some may argue Rihanna will never be a legend, but at the rate she’s meeting or surpassing the records of her legendary predecessors, the history books will argue otherwise.
For, despite shortcomings on the Billboard 200 side of charts, her 11 year career has seen her equal or eclipse many-a-Hot 100 record of pop music’s royalty (Whitney Houston, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, etc). In fact, those who need a refresher should traipse with us down memory lane for a few highlights:
2010s
As of time reporting, Rihanna is the only female artist of color to top Hot 100 this decade
2011
Rihanna outraces Madonna for most top 10 singles amassed in shortest period of time
2013
Rihanna surpasses Whitney Houston‘s Hot 100 top 10 record
2016
Rihanna ties Janet Jackson & Mariah Carey‘s top 10 record
Now, it appears the ‘Diamonds’ diva has her sights set on the Hot 100 crowns of King of Pop Michael Jackson. With the ascension of her (not Drake‘s) latest tune ‘Work’ to the tally’s perch, the songbird is just one #1 hit away from breaking two of his prized records.
Find out which below:
Last week when ‘Work’ worked its way to the #4 spot, it put her in an exclusive club of hitmakers. In fact, she became the 8th artist in history to amass 20 or more top 5 singles.
The song [‘Work’] is Rihanna’s 20th top five Hot 100 hit, making her just the eighth artist to hit that milestone.
Here is an updated look at the acts with the most top five Hot 100 hits:
29, The Beatles
28, Madonna
26, Mariah Carey
24, Janet Jackson
21, Elvis Presley (whose career predated the Hot 100’s 1958 launch by two years)
20, Michael Jackson
20, Rihanna
20, Stevie Wonder
But, as if tying MJ’s top 5 record last week wasn’t enough, this week the diva’s Drake-assisted hit zoomed to #1 (as seen in charts below). With it, Rih not only nabbed her 14th #1 single, but also tied the King of Pop’s Hot 100 #1’s record.
Two Selena songs in top 20 yaaass… #WheresFormation ?
Formation is too busy selling stadium seats to be around basicness like Selena Gomezzzz lol…and my fave is pretty basic too, but at least she has her own lane…your non-singing fave is just basic as all hell *Kanye shrug*
http://giphy.com/gifs/thegrammys-selena-gomez-grammys-2016-touched-l4KhWAZNRFirXX1Hq
lol 🙂
Iggys over here scared to release new music stfu
Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Did she write or produce any of her hits? Because anyone can buy hit songs
Like Beyonce does! Formation wasn’t written by her.
The female Flo Rida, TBH.
Oooop not Flo rida sis
^^^lol at cirrror stans being the first to comment
Did Rihanna write or produce any of her hit songs?
Molly, ure not fooling anyone…
She did help write and produce a few, but she never claimed to be the writer. Are you mad bc we can’t even have this discussion on Ciara?
@Terny byeee bitttch that isn’t me
is cierror relevant outside of her baby daddy and nfl c** throwers?
slay rih yu in the history books forever and work has no signs of slowing down. the gurls are forever pressed
Also, once again, as reported by ‘The Huffington Post (Black Voices)’:
1) Rihanna is the first BLACK FEMALE ARTIST to chart at #1 on the Hot 100 on any song since ‘herself’ with Eminem in 2013 – ‘The Monster’.
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2) Rihanna is the first BLACK FEMALE “SOLO” ARTIST to chart at #1 on the Hot 100 with a song since ‘herself’ with ‘Diamonds’ – 2012.
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3) Rihanna is the ONLY BLACK FEMALE SOLO ARTIST to chart at #1 on the Hot 100 at all this decade thus far since herself in 2010 – six years ago”.
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I’m so happy for you, Rih. Now, it’s time for you to promote more of ‘ANTI’ and hurry up and release ‘Kiss It Better’ and/or ‘Love On the Brain’ along with its music videos. I want you to get that 15th and/or 16th #1 single. ;).
YASSSS YASSSS & YASSSSSS!!!!
Sis,I’m DYING to see the “Kiss It Better” video!!!
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I feel it’s going to be EPIC!
:-)…
impressive and sad
Lml u jus slayed the haters! Ppl need to back the f*** off n stop hating if u don’t her no one cares! Not even her Lmbo let Beyoncé keep influencing yah heads exactly why she ain’t even in the running to beat out those records so haters jus shush
I’m actually surprised this song hit #1 it’s straight up wack #noshade and overall the weakest cut on the album.. Congrats Rihanna tho
Damn Mariah is one bad mamajama talk bout any record worth mentioning & she’s there.. I love that woman! #MyFave
She’s fat & washed up now.. Like Wendy said Mooriah has no more hits left in her.
dont come for mimi when you stanning for cierror and seloser gomez. mimi is a legend, cierror didnt last 5 years and seloser is a nobody disney artist who charts every now and then.
Lol.. Ure so stuck in 2013 wen Ciara MANAGED to get a top 40 hit with body party..if being washed up is having relevancy TWENTY SIX YEARS into your career, then heck yea.. But how bout Manara? Who just got kicked outta her record deal for selling like wat? 2 copies bought by u & Jackie! Hahahaha ???
Selena has had 3 top 10s within the last 6 months were good over here sis…. And Ciara may be a flop but she’s s*** young and still has potential to score hits… While Mimi is lip syncing at concerts and pushing 50 #tired
Molly, you must be out your damn mind coming for Mariah when your non-singing fave WISHES TO THA GODS she had an OUNCE of Mariah’s talent…Mariah even had a hit with Bieber, while Selena’s simple behind owes her whole career to Justina lol…don’t ever forget it, Justina made that BISH FAMOUS…
http://giphy.com/gifs/thegrammys-taylor-swift-selena-gomez-applause-l4KieklAkwIagzada
lol 🙂
I thought it was Drake ft Rihanna
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Rashaad better leave all the Rihanna articles to Sam
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How’s CUNTi doin how about the tour
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I don’t see or get why the Navy is happy when this song was a fourth times a charm after 3 failed singles slash buzz singles
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Rihanna better get in formation with the other flop has been biatches lady Gaga to name one
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And the haters gonna hate hate hate
and the flopers gonna flop flop flop
shake it off ah ah ah I shake it off
How many singles has Tori released since her number 1?
Tori is the biggest overhyped flop in music
lmfao not me giving you this look
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t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQhAEB-3sEygsVlKkiTQ8y-Fb6_LWT-ag0Gzcr5gk8WMK1ui2L4lxj2JKRj
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I know darn well that her album sold 72K first week
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that’s more than Ciara’s last 3-4 albums
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And definitely 476557874321 more than 460
tori gives me rita ora, janelle monae tease with all these high profile appearances and flop singles and albums
Now this is some good journalism…Glad to see someone finished college and knows that tweets from twitter do not count as sources.
@What now,
None of Rihanna’s hit songs have been produced or written by her. When she write and produces a hit songs them I’ll be impressed. OAN, I heard homegirl was selling tickets for her tour for $10 at colleges campuses
“With the ascension of her (not Drake‘s) latest tune ‘Work’ to the tally’s perch”
__________
Oooop ok Ms.Rashad
Nonetheless, as ‘WORK’ sits comfortably on the Hot 100 as her 14th #1 U.S single, as we speak…
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‘WORK’ is #1 on the ITunes U.S Singles Charts.
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‘ANTI’ is #2 on the ITunes U.S Albums Charts.
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‘WORK’ is currently the most streamed song in the country and ‘ANTI’ is the most streamed album. Also, ‘WORK’ is expected to fly into a Top 3 position on the Radio Songs Charts next week with an estimated 80% increase in plays and the song has already amassed 17+ Million streams in the past several days (in the U.S) since the tracking week for streaming points ended on Sunday – the largest ever for a song after a five week period.
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Now, I’m patiently on AUNTIE BEYONCE’ to come and add her half of the slayage too!!! #BlackGirlsRock. 😉
“We Are The World” should be added towards Jackson. He co-wrote/co-produced that monster hit. And, was a featured guest vocalist as-well… The sales of that single should be added towards Jackson & Lionel’s overall single sales. Which would bring MJ’s total single sales well over the 200 millionth mark.
So you do agree that DC sales should count towards Beys sales?
KIIII Rasheeda you trying to get fired gurl? You realise Sam is phasing you out right? Your articles rarely hit 100+ comments, even though Davida and Samantha’s generally do. And shading his Drake article won’t stop you from ending up in the same place as Trini-Trent did. KII but dats your business, not mine.
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LMAO.
I heard T******** got fired because he was “stealing” posts from other blogs, most notably – Necole Bitchie and I remember the latter exposing this site on their blog!
It was a mess.
Ironically, I know somebody who actually use to chill with Samantha at University. As much as I can’t stand his unprofessional salty ass… Nigerian Boy did good!
KIIIII I’m SCREAMING!! But David has done the same thing too, he stole an article from B.Scott of all people and everyone clocked him for it. I think Sam and T**** were beefing, I remember seeing the ‘Farewell T****” post and the comment section was such a KII! LMAO this blog so messy!!!
LMFAOOOOOOO. I remember that post… it was a mess!
And yes, Sam and Tr3nt were definitely beefing.
I heard that sometime around Rihanna’s LOUD album release, Tr3nt got an invite but Sam didn’t. He’s been hating on her ever since… because his opinions on Rihanna were nowhere near as HARSH as they were pre-Rated R.
Also, Rihanna DEFINITELY knows this site exists because I was told that they almost interviewed her in 2010 but she made some unnecessary demands and declined last minute. They’ve tried to contact Beyonce but she’s paid them absolute dust… still, Samantha loves her!
There was a time when Tr3nt did leave and he was having this meltdown on twitter as to why and completely shading Sam… It was a KIIIII. LMAO
KIIIIIIII OMG the tea you’re spilling is giving me life!!!! Sam has met Kelly and Michelle, and he’s even interviewed Beyonce’s father, her choreographer and her lead dancers… but he will never get to interview Beyonce, and it kills him. Beyonce’s camp definitely knows TGJ exists because they included a shot of the blog in one of their behind the scenes videos, so Sam still thinks he has a shot… but he doesn’t! And that Tea about Rihanna sounds legit!!! LOL!
LMAO.
I heard Tr3ňt got fired because he was “stealing” posts from other blogs, most notably – N3cole Bįīchie and I remember the latter exposing this site on their blog!
It was a mess.
Ironically, I know somebody who actually use to chill with Samantha at University and is still mutual with him, I guess. As much as I can’t stand his unprofessional salty ass… Nigerian Boy did good!
The Navy has low standards. Always celebrating $1.29 singles whereas Anti is struggling to sell 500k.
The nerve of you to say anybody has low standards when you stan for a washed up socialite
At least Michael Jackson could sell out stadiums… ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️
And Rihanna surpassed michael jackson with 14 number 1 hits.you are a legend rihanna.The end.
But did she write those hits?
Lmfao at that Former
Rihanna stan
Beyonce stan
Ciara stan
Ariana stan
Leona stan
ETC
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And soon to be former Selena gomez stan
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Needs to quit life
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Biitch has been here eversince I graced the lands of TGJ I have forever since then took leaves time after time
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and I don’t recall not seeing it’s Anti-relevant comments for more than a week
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When I have the time I’ll definitely pray for it
TELL THAT MAID ?☕️
@rihperry
Is Rihanna relevant outside of no talent folks?
Does Ciara have a record deal?
Mooriah and Flopri Kelly stans seething yes
Congratulations to Rihanna’s team for buying number one hits for her. Since she didn’t write and produce any of her hit songs.
Ciara’s team could never lmao
She’s credited on Work ,Rude Boy for example
If FRih’s featured singles are added the MJ’s Jackson 5 singles should be added too.
Youre dumb its only solo act hit that matter
SMH don’t come for @DuffsterLovato B*TCH!!!!
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4e/f9/14/4ef914a74165be5b7440859a1d176032.gif
Why are Ciara stans talking? When’s the last time she had a #1 anything?
I Bet went platinum and she didn’t have to lie about it
Lol aw that’s cute! When’s the last time she had a platinum or gold album though? I’ll wait!!!
Why is Jackie not platinum?
Even if Rih dont write most of her songs .its only because Rihanna sung them they are hits. Whitney Houston dont even wrote her songs .
At least she never claimed she wrote them ..not like Beyoncé being caught while lying she wrote irrepleacable …haha
Although I’m not a huge fan of Work, congratulations, because this feat has been years in the making. Now, I need you to work on the Kiss It Better and Love On the Brain videos. Oh and also, I need you to work on that choreo and breathing techniques for the tour…Don’t make me bring a tomato just in case.
Respect to Rihanna for the #1, but Michael probably thought he was just taking a picture with a fan in that pic lol…she looks cute tho 🙂
they attended the same event and he requested to have a private meeting with her…so he more than knew who she was
Well damn, I stand corrected! That had to be amazing for her, and so early in her career…please don’t take my wig and glue chile lol 🙂
they were in japan or something. He heard she was there and his people asked her people for a private meeting. There is a video on youtube of her reaction entering and exiting the room where he was
think it might be around the time her camp was trying to get the rights to sample his song for Dont stop the music, so i think he just wanted to know who she was
I saw the video on youtube…awwww…the video is called ‘Rihanna Meet Michael Jackson in Backstage Japan 2006’….that’s the exact title, spelling errors are on purpose lol 🙂
She probably have more hits too if she promotes Close To You, Needed Me, Love on the brain, Same Ol Mistake, Kiss It Better, and an urban hit with S** With Me. Lord shes coming for Mariah’s 18 #1s or the Beatles.
the most shocking aspect of all this is the fact now other black woman has had a number 1 song this decade. Like when last did a black woman whose last name wasnt fenty top the billboard h100
Molly remains theee most despised person on TGJ, no one likes yo ass, no one claims yo ass, you keep jumping from stanbase to stanbase and STILL no one wants you. #HangitUp b****
And you’re obsessed
Yet her album hasn’t even hit 400k WW and she’s selling tour tickets for $10. Screaming!!! The thing that makes you legendary is a healthy balance of everything. The Navy boast about 14 hits but she falls so short elsewhere… especially raw talent.
up until this album rihanna had great touring numbers, great album sales and great single sales. So what are you on? Also the album has sold 400k already and if you add the tidal numbers then its at 800-900k excluding the samsung 1mil downloads.
Receipts for these WW numbers and I’m sorry but Rihannas all smoke and mirrors. She can’t sell off her talent and star power as this era have proved. Work took too long to go to #1 so she hasn’t had that hit to save her like she normally does. Plus, the song is forgettable. It’s not a huge hit on the level of We Found love she always needs a massive debut single to carry her era.
How long did it take for work to reach #1?
Mad props to Ri but by today’s standards MJ would have 100 or more #1s!!!! Ri’s projects are well A&R’d but by no means are her songs or any others currently being released legendary. Today is full of good for the moment songs nobody is making anything close to Rock With You.
people keep saying things like this but if its so easy to get a number 1 song then why is it that only rihanna is achieving such feats.
By today’s standards mj won’t get any 1_song …cos music has changed considerably and his sounds are outdated
Total agreement. Rihanna is NOTHING compared to what the likes of Michael were in their day. Michael would easily have more than 30 #1 singles in the USA with the current system and cheap singles-oriented industry we have now.
If you do some research you’ll find that there was a time when music was so good that Taylor Swift and Rihanna wouldn’t have even been invited to attend the grammies let lone winning one. This Taylor cd is the WORST Album Of The Year of all time!!!!!!!! Do people actually think that Work is such a great song that people will be playing 3 years from now?
isnt the fact that it took it 4 weeks to build up the airplay, streams and sales to reach #1 a testament to its longetivity and worthiness? Look at zyan? This song is performing due to its popularity not by rihanna’s name
Rihanna is more legendary than beyonce and work is better than anything from beyonce discography .
Case closed now bye.
I swear y’all believe every rumor. Tickets aren’t selling for $10 and her album has sold more than 400k WW already.
NOT Rasheeda removing my T***** video ????
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#NowPlaying – Usher – Truth Hurts
“Notably, spins for “Work” were boosted in its first day by hourly plays on participating iHeartMedia and CBS Radio pop, rhythmic and R&B/hip-hop stations.” -Billboard
While impressive no one cares about the most #1 singles. Did we ever talk about Michaels record before this? Or Beatles or Janets number of #1s? Of course not. Its the kind of thing that’s mentioned in passing when discussing things of actual merit.
LOL All of this wouldn´t be irrelevant if all those cooked #1 hits weren´t fake, forgettable and had been accompanied by blockbuster albums and real recognition as an artist.
It´s not the case so all this will be forgotten the moment her career is over. It has almost been over recently already. They are just managing to give her a few more hit singles by releasing crap music again (they suddenly forgot that more mature route they were trying for her last year seeing how nobody was buying it because she hasn´t got talent). Nothing else.
The others in those lists are tremendous artists who will always be acclaimed. People aren´t stupid.
Lukas graham with the song seven years, should be number 1 soon! That’s actually a song you can listen too over and over .
Mj approved Rihanna yet these bitter pest still trying it. Kiii Rashad is getting his revenge.Keep dragging sam ugly ass.
Rihanna is winning. How do you h*** feel including your hating ass Sam.
That forehead though
http://cdn3.gurl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tea.gif
Hi haters. What did Beyonce block again?
Thought it Drake feat Rihanna song. Nice
They keep putting her down saying her song is trash, she can’t be a legend yet she is the only black topping billboard hot100 since the past 6years. If its so easy to top chart why aren’t other black artist who y’all claim to be more legendary than rih topping chart? Janet Jackson releases an album this year non of her crack the top ten. Whitney Houston couldn’t get a hit before she die, if Mj was he will not get a hit in this era of music, mariah Carey can’t get a hit too even thrashyonce so y’all should stfu!!! Music is revolutionary, music change, every artist is talented & unique in there own way.
Well the problem is most people are 99% followers. What ever they see they follow. This is the same formula that worked with Beatles, Britney Spears, any damn boy band.
Rihanna and Beyonce are heavily promoted in media, and other sources and there for their success is in favor of them. Most people just partake in Rihanna because she the popular girl. If you asked them what is there favorite performance or what do they love of Rihanna most people draw blank.
So ask your elf why are other black legends that clearly are putting out better albums and perform better then Rihanna aren’t getting on the charts. Im pretty sure you will say she more popular or people like her more.
Rashad You in danger love,
Someone must be on vacation.
Because the fact that you have written a fact based shade-less article acknowledging Rihanna’s accomplishment on this website has me completely shocked. Made me drop my pearls.
Kudos to you.