Drake has now surpassed Michael Jackson as the new leading figure in pop music. The Toronto rapper has broken the long-standing record previously held by Michael Jackson for the most No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 by a solo male artist. His latest track, “Janice STFU,” debuted at the top of the chart this week, following the release of a trilogy of albums.
According to Billboard, Drake now has a total of 14 chart-topping singles in his career, tying him with Taylor Swift and Rihanna for the most No. 1 hits among all artists. Only Mariah Carey, with 19, and The Beatles, with 20, have achieved more No. 1 singles. Drake also set a new record for the most entries on the Hot 100 in a single week, with 42 songs making it onto the chart, surpassing Morgan Wallen’s previous record of 37 in 2025.
In recent years, Drake has frequently referenced Michael Jackson in his music, positioning his own legacy in comparison to the pop legend. The cover of his latest album, “Iceman,” pays homage to Jackson with a rhinestone-studded glove reminiscent of the late singer’s iconic accessory.
This week, Drake made history by becoming the first artist to claim the top three spots on Billboard’s top 200 album chart. His trilogy of albums – “Iceman,” “Habibti,” and “Maid of Honour” – debuted at Nos. 1, 2, and 3 on the chart dated May 30. These releases mark Drake’s first solo projects since his public feud with Kendrick Lamar in 2024, with references to the rivalry evident in several tracks.
Drake’s album “Iceman” was highly anticipated, with the artist teasing the project over nearly a year with various public stunts. He kicked off the album release by illuminating Toronto’s CN Tower in an icy-blue light on May 15, followed by the surprise release of the other two albums.