Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1988.
Nine years after his death in 2009, Michael Jackson is back on the Billboard Hot 100 posthumously for the fourth time, as he debuts at No. 9 on the chart (dated July 14) as the featured artist on Drake's "Don't Matter to Me."
The song, now being promoted to pop radio by Republic Records, is from Drake's album Scorpion, which launches at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with the biggest week of consumption for an album in 2018.
"Matter" features previously unreleased vocals from Jackson, which were originally recorded in 1983.
The new song becomes Jackson's 30th solo Hot 100 top 10, making him one of just five artists to reach the milestone in the chart's 59-year history. Madonna leads with 38, followed by The Beatles (34) and Drake and Rihanna (31 each). Drake also breaks the barrier of at least 30 top 10s this week, as he adds five to his résumé: "Nonstop" (No. 2), "In My Feelings" (No. 6), "I'm Upset" (No. 7), "Emotionless" (No. 8) and "Matter" (No. 9).
(Along with his 30 solo Hot 100 top 10s, The Jackson 5/Jacksons scored 11 top 10s with Jackson as a member.)
"Matter" is Jackson's fourth posthumous Hot 100 entry. It follows "Hold My Hand," his 2011 duet with Akon that reached No. 39; "Love Never Felt So Good," his 2014 co-billed collab with Justin Timberlake that rose to No. 9; and "Slave to the Rhythm," a solo track that debuted and peaked at No. 45 in 2014.
Notably, "Matter" is Jackson's first Hot 100 hit (among 51 total) on which he is billed as a featured artist; 41 are unaccompanied, while nine are duets.