Russ’ ‘There’s Really a Wolf’ Debuts at No. 4 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart
Rising hip-hop act Russ scores a No. 4 entry on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart (dated May 27) with his debut studio set, There's Really a Wolf. It earned 49,000 album equivalent units in the…
Rising hip-hop act Russ scores a No. 4 entry on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart (dated May 27) with his debut studio set, There’s Really a Wolf. It earned 49,000 album equivalent units in the tracking week ending May 11, according to Nielsen Music. The album also starts at No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard 200 tally.
The 24-year-old rapper first landed on the charts late last year with his breakout rap hit “What They Want” reaching No. 33 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Nov. 26 chart). Follow-up R&B single “Losin Control” is currently in its 13th chart frame, hopping 32-29 (it previously peaked at No. 28).
While the new album is primarily rap-based, Russ also sings on multiple tracks. He simultaneously debuts at No. 19 on the Hot R&B Songs chart with “Cherry Hill,” one of the set’s more soulful cuts, while “Losin Control” lifts 10-8, reaching a new peak in its 14th charting frame.
The release of Wolf fuels a No. 50 arrival for the artist on Billboard’s Social 50 chart, with increases across all social metrics. His biggest jump was in Instagram followers, with a 96 percent weekly gain (up 37,000) in the tracking week ending May 11. Instagram reactions also climb 57 percent (to 666,000).
“Redbone” Reigns: Elsewhere, Childish Gambino earns his first ever No. 1 on an airplay chart as “Redbone” crowns the Adult R&B radio tally (hopping 3-1, up 10 percent in spins in the week ending May 14). The track, from his latest album Awaken My Love!, also notches a new high on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, rising 23-18, due in part by a 5 percent increase in weekly streams (to 11.4 million). It also grants the artist his first top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, as it rises 44-36.
Drake Extends Airplay Record: Drake earns his 19th No. 1 on the Rhythmic Songs airplay chart, furthering his lead for most No. 1 hits, as “Passionfruit” steps 2-1 at the airplay format (up less than 1 percent in spins at the format, in the week ending May 14). Rihanna holds onto second place with 14 No. 1s.
Drake first achieved the record on the March 19, 2016-dated chart as a featured guest on Rihanna’s “Work,” which gave him his 13th No. 1, tying with Usher for the record. He then crowned the chart (one year ago this week) with “One Dance,” featuring WizKid and Kyla, followed by “Controlla” (Aug. 13) as a feature on DJ Khaled’s “For Free” (Aug. 27), “Too Good,” featuring Rihanna (Sept. 17), and “Fake Love” (Jan. 28). In total, of the 20 songs that have led the Rhythmic chart in the past year (May 28, 2016-May 27, 2017), six have been credited to Drake.
Future Rises: Lastly, Future’s “Mask Off” steps 2-1 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart, landing the rapper his third chart-capping hit. A 13 percent swell in spins helps it reach the summit. Most recently, he topped the list alongside Drake on “Jumpman” (peaking on Jan. 16, 2016).