Over its 62-year history, the Hot 100 has repeatedly proven itself to be a boys club. But thanks to artists like Mariah Carey, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, and other musical leading ladies, the playing field gets a little more even every year.
For evidence, one needn’t look much further than rapstress Cardi B – who recently nabbed her fifth chart-topper on the tally thanks to her latest single, ‘Up.’
No stranger to racing into history books, the historic accomplishment not only made her the first female rapper in history to have two Hot 100 #1 hits without a credited supporting feature but it also extended her record of most chart-toppers among female rappers (5).
And while she holds that title by her lonesome, there are other historic achievements attained by ‘Up’ that puts her in prestigious, Girl Powered company.
Details inside:
Since the June 2017 release of her debut single, ‘Bodak Yellow,’ Cardi has nabbed 4 other Hot 100 chart-toppers – making her the first and only female rapper to boast such a feat. Among all female acts, however, the GRAMMY winner is now in an exclusive club of women who have raced to land 5 or more Hot 100 #1s within the four years that followed their respective official debut singles.
While Mariah Carey holds the record for most #1s secured in that time period (among females), see the full list below.
Whitney Houston
Year of Debut Single: 1985
Number of #1 hits four years later: 7 (‘Saving All My Love For You,’ ‘So Emotional,’ etc.)
Paula Abdul
Year of Debut Single: 1988
Number of #1 hits four years later: 6 (‘Opposites Attract,’ ‘Straight Up,’ ‘Cold-Hearted Snake,’ etc.)
Mariah Carey
Year of Debut Single: 1990
Number of #1 hits four years later: 8 (‘Vision of Love,’ ‘Hero,’ ‘I Don’t Wanna Cry,’ etc.)
Rihanna
Year of Debut Single: 2005
Number of #1 hits four years later: 5 (‘SOS,’ ‘Umbrella,’ ‘Live Your Life,’ ‘Take a Bow,’ and ‘Disturbia‘)
Katy Perry
Year of Debut Single: 2008
Number of #1 hits four years later: 7 (‘I Kissed a Girl,’ ‘Firework,’ ‘Roar,’ etc.)
Cardi B
Year of Debut Single: 2017
Number of #1 hits four years later: 5 (‘Bodak Yellow,’ ‘WAP,’ ‘Up,’ etc.)
Honorable mention:
Madonna
Year of Debut Single: 1982
Number of #1 hits 4 years later: 4 (‘Like a Virgin,’ ‘Crazy For You,’ Papa Don’t Preach,’ ‘Live to Tell’)
Note: Madonna’s fifth #1 hit, ‘Open Your Heart,’ was released in 1986, but did not top the Hot 100 until 1987 – nearly 5 years after her debut.
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A minor, yet noteworthy point, ‘Up’ is the shortest-titled Rap song to ever hit #1 on the Hot 100. Here’s a recap of the briefest No. 1 Hot 100 song titles (those encompassing three or fewer letters):
“3,” Britney Spears, 2009
“Up,” Cardi B, 2021
“S&M,” Rihanna feat. Britney Spears, 2011
“E.T.,” Katy Perry feat. Kanye West, 2011
“WAP,” Cardi B, 2020
“Sad!,” XXXTENTACION, 2018
“OMG,” Usher feat. will.i.am, 2010
“Low,” Flo Rida, 2008
“SOS,” Rihanna, 2006
“Bad,” Michael Jackson, 1987
“Ben,” Michael Jackson, 1972
“War,” Edwin Starr, 1970
“ABC,” Jackson 5, 1970
“Why,” Frankie Avalon, 1959