Drake has broken Michael Jackson’s record: With “Janice STFU” he celebrates his 14th No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 – more than ever by a male solo artist before.
The cover of “Iceman” features a glittering glove. It won’t be…? But. It is an original Michael Jackson crystal-encrusted glove. Drake is said to have shelled out a reported $120,000 for it – a six-figure tribute to the King of Pop. The reactions to this were mixed, but you can hardly provide better foreshadowing. Because the story gets even better: Drake has now caught up with exactly this King of Pop – and overtaken him.
14 No. 1 hits: Drake breaks Jackson’s record
For years, Jackson held the record for most No. 1 hits by a male solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100 with 13. Drake had matched that, and he climbs to No. 1 with “Janice STFU,” fresh from “Iceman,” his 14th No. 1 hit. The glove on the cover did its job.
Triple hit with announcement
As if that wasn’t enough, Drake broke a second record with the triple hit – this time on the album side. “Iceman” gives him his 15th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, surpassing Jay-Z and tying Taylor Swift; only the Beatles are ahead of them at 19. It is also the first time that an artist has occupied the top three of the Billboard 200 simultaneously since the charts began appearing weekly in 1956 – “Iceman” at one, “Habibti” at two, “Maid of Honor” at three. This also reveals the strategy behind the maneuver: three albums in one go, 43 songs, maximum chart space.
Criticism divided, streams clear
It seems like Drake has broken free of what was considered a losing battle with Kendrick Lamar through sheer success. The criticism is divided, but the streams prove him right. The Irish Times called it a listless, forgettable 18-track album that shows the Toronto rapper at his most complacent. Variety was more conciliatory, seeing vindication in “Iceman” — a nifty if bloated project. Drake should be more than happy with this outcome. And with that, the Champagne daddy can pop the champagne again.
