Singer The Weeknd breaks Billboard Hot 100 records


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With fall fast approaching, it is time to decide what the “song of summer” was. Luckily, Billboard’s Hot 100 is still tracking this summer’s hits. The top two spots are currently occupied by The Weeknd. Born Abel Tesfaye,  the Canadian-Ethiopian R&B sensation ended the summer with the release of his latest album, Beauty Behind the Madness, last August, which scored the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 two weeks in a row. The Weeknd made Billboard history Wednesday as he became “the first solo male to top the Artist 100, Hot 100 and Billboard 200 in the same week.”

The Weeknd’s singles “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills” rose from the No. 2 spot to No. 1 and No. 3 to No. 2, respectively, dominating Billboard’s list; he broke the record this past Monday as only the tenth artist to secure both No. 1 and 2 hits. The last group to nail this victory was the Black Eyed Peas back in 2009 with “Boom Boom Pow” sitting at No. 1, followed by “I Gotta Feeling.” T.I. was the last solo male artist to lock No. 1 and 2 down in 2008 with “Live Your Life” featuring Rihanna and “Whatever You Like.” Other musicians possessing this top two record within Billboard’s 57-year history are Akon, Mariah Carey, Usher, OutKast, Nelly, Bee Gees and The Beatles.

All other records aside, The Weeknd holds seven other songs from his newest album on the Billboard’s Hot 100, making him the latest musical icon reigning as “The King of Pop” since Michael Jackson.

Another household name in pop music is Justin Bieber, whose newest single “What Do You Mean?” was released the same day as Beauty Behind the Madness. The upbeat and infectious song sits at No. 3, having dropped from No. 1 last week. Bieber, who has not produced an album since Journals in 2013, is preparing fans for his fourth album, rumored to be released by the end of the year. After releasing the No. 1 single from the newest album, No. 4 title-holder Bieber has a chance to redeem his No. 2 spot peak with the remaining track list.

Along with Bieber, Fetty Wap is making his way to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100, securing three singles in the top 20 alone. His claim to fame, “Trap Queen,” rests comfortably at No. 18 after having been on this list for the last 34 weeks. Fetty Wap’s newer songs, “679” featuring Remy Boyz has surpassed the last one, landing at the No. 8 spot, while “My Way” featuring Monty was No. 15.

Chart highlights include Drake’s No. 16 song “Hotline Bling” as both the streaming and digital gainer, achieving the largest surges in streaming and unit purchases. The Weeknd’s No. 2 hit “The Hills” is featured as the airplay gainer, winning the “largest increase in audience.” Aside from these bigger names in the music industry, Billboard awards one hotshot debut, or “highest ranking new-entry,” which is Travi$ Scott and his new song “Antidote” this week. His latest album, Rodeo, was released earlier this month and holds the No. 3 spot in its first week on the Billboard 200 list. Similar to The Weeknd’s humble career beginnings, Scott dropped his second mixtape Days Before Rodeo Aug. 18, only 17 days shy of the release of his album. Days Before Rodeo has been nominated as Best Mixtape for the 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Like Scott, newer artists have begun to emerge from Billboard records, including Hailee Steinfeld and her single “Love Myself,” which peaked this week as No. 36 after coming in last week at No. 44. Steinfeld, besides making big gains in performance, has grown in popularity due to her role in Pitch Perfect 2 as the youngest Barden Bella, Emily Junk. She is still acting while producing her first album after experimenting with Shawn Mendes on an acoustic cover of his single “Stitches,” which is currently ranked No. 14 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

With 2015 drawing to an end, artists are still producing as many singles and albums as they can, signing off the end of an era of breaking musical records and watching singers like The Weeknd soar on every list possible. Tesfaye is paving the way for new, innovative artists to find their spotlight and nab that No. 1 spot.