NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 31: Post Malone performs during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve ... [+]
Post Malone’s transition from hip-hop and pop into country is going very, very well. The multi-genre musician’s first proper single in that space was a massive hit upon its arrival, and now it’s earned the love and respect of those in the industry.
"I Had Some Help" rises to No. 1 on this week’s Country Airplay chart. The Billboard tally ranks the most successful songs on country radio, and whenever a tune reaches the summit, it’s usually considered a proper giant in the arena.
Radio matters more in the country genre than any other, at least when it comes to turning popular songs into smashes. Newcomers often have a difficult time reaching DJs and programmers, and country radio is notoriously hard to crack. Malone hasn’t just done so only a short time into his country era, but he’s rocketed to the summit faster than anyone in a long, long time.
"I Had Some Help" jumps to No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart in its seventh week on the list. Billboard notes that seven frames marks the shortest span of time a tune has needed to bolt to No. 1 since 2007.
That year, Garth Brooks made history with his single "More Than a Memory," which still holds a special record. That hit debuted at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, and it remains the only track in the history of the tally to manage that feat.
This week, "I Had Some Help" lifts from No. 2 to the throne. Malone replaces Kenny Chesney’s "Take Her Home" on top, and he’s not alone.
"I Had Some Help" marks Malone’s first No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, but the same can’t be said for his collaborator. Morgan Wallen earns his lucky thirteenth champion on the tally with this latest collaboration.
Malone and Wallen have been riding high on a number of charts ever since "I Had Some Help" debuted more than a month ago. The tune started at No. 1 on a variety of charts, including the Hot 100 and several country lists. It ranked as the biggest song in America for five frames, and it remains a country smash, even as Malone moves on to his next single, "Pour Me a Drink" with fellow country favorite Blake Shelton in tow.