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| Hot 100 (Billboard) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Hot 100 |
| Publisher | Billboard (magazine) |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1958 |
| Genre | Pop, rock, R&B, country, hip hop, electronic |
| Frequency | Weekly |
Hot 100 (Billboard) is a weekly chart published by Billboard (magazine) that ranks the most popular songs in the United States using a multi-metric formula. Introduced in 1958 during the era of Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Frank Sinatra, the chart has chronicled changes across pop music, rock music, rhythm and blues, hip hop music, and country music. It is referenced by artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Drake as a benchmark of commercial success.
The chart was created as Billboard consolidated earlier listings like Best Sellers in Stores, Most Played by Jockeys, and Most Played in Jukeboxes to form a unified ranking amid the postwar rise of rock and roll and the British Invasion. Early number ones included Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, and Ricky Nelson, while the 1960s were dominated by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys. Innovations in the 1970s and 1980s—spurred by figures such as Clive Davis and Ahmet Ertegun—reflected growth in FM radio, MTV, and record label marketing from companies like Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Universal Music Group. The digital revolution involving iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube prompted methodological revisions as artists like Adele, Kanye West, and Lady Gaga influenced chart dynamics.
Compilation historically relied on retailer reports, radio airplay monitored at stations including WCBS-FM, KIIS-FM, and BBC Radio 1 for international trends, and jukebox tallies; by the 1990s, Billboard integrated data from Nielsen SoundScan for sales and Broadcast Data Systems for airplay monitoring. In the 2000s the formula added digital downloads from Apple Inc.'s iTunes Store and streaming from YouTube (service), Spotify Technology, and Apple Music, and it now combines sales, airplay, and streaming weighted by proprietary algorithms overseen by Nielsen Holdings affiliates. The chart's transition to include streaming mirrored changes in consumption caused by platforms such as Pandora Radio, SoundCloud, and Tidal (service), prompting debates involving record labels like Universal Music Group and artists represented by ASCAP and BMI. Special recurrent rules, rulings about remixes, and eligibility criteria have been applied in cases involving catalog releases by estates of Prince and David Bowie.
Records include The Beatles's multi-week dominance, Mariah Carey's multiple number ones, Whitney Houston's chart runs, Drake's streaming milestones, and Michael Jackson's posthumous re-entries. Longest-reigning number-one songs involve artists such as Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber, Lil Nas X, and OutKast. Records for most number-one singles are associated with The Beatles, Madonna, and Rihanna, while artists like Elton John, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan hold distinctions across decades. Milestones include youngest chart-toppers like Stevie Wonder and oldest chart-toppers like Tony Bennett. Industry awards such as the Grammy Award and recognitions from organizations like RIAA often correlate with Hot 100 performance.
The chart has shaped careers of artists including Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Prince, Katy Perry, and Ariana Grande and influenced festivals like Woodstock (music festival), Coachella, and Lollapalooza. It has informed programming at broadcasters such as VH1, MTV, and iHeartRadio and affected film soundtracks for Star Wars, The Bodyguard, and Guardians of the Galaxy. The Hot 100's visibility has impacted brand partnerships with companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nike, Inc., and shaped streaming strategies on YouTube Music and Apple Music while influencing advocacy by artist collectives such as Recording Academy and campaigns around chart manipulation.
Critics cite issues including manipulation allegations involving streaming farms, bulk purchases coordinated by fanbases of artists like BTS and One Direction, and payola scandals linked historically to radio and labels such as Capitol Records and Columbia Records. Debates arose when Billboard changed rules affecting legacy acts like The Beatles and contemporary acts like Migos, with controversies over counting bundled album sales tied to merchandise sold by retailers like Amazon and Walmart. Legal and public disputes have involved artist managers, executives such as Clive Davis, and publishers represented by SESAC, leading to reforms in reporting and transparency.
Prominent chart-toppers include Billie Jean, Like a Virgin, Thriller, Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Bad Guy, Blinding Lights, Old Town Road, Despacito, and I Will Always Love You. Artists with significant Hot 100 histories feature Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Drake, Adele, and Bruno Mars. Producer-songwriters such as Max Martin, Pharrell Williams, Dr. Dre, and Linda Perry have influenced multiple chart-topping tracks, while collaborations have paired stars like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and Eminem.
Billboard publishes companion charts including Billboard 200, Hot Country Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Adult Contemporary, Dance Club Songs, Latin Airplay, Global 200, and genre-specific lists like Alternative Airplay and Christian Songs. International counterparts and licensing involve charts from Official Charts Company, Oricon, and ARIA Charts, while trade bodies such as IFPI and regional organizations like BPI interact with Billboard data. Special charts for radio, streaming, and sales—such as Digital Song Sales and Streaming Songs—serve labels like Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, and artists under management firms like Roc Nation.