Cardi B, Lil Durk, Adam Levine, Megan Thee Stallion And Ava Max: 5 Important Moves On This Week’s Hot 100

Another week, another turn at No. 1 on the Hot 100 for Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License,” which has already performed well enough in just the past month to secure itself a position on Billboard’s year-end list of the biggest songs of 2021. Behind the powerful heartbreak tune, one brand new smash settles for second place while a handful of hip-hop tracks become proper hits and at least two other pop cuts reach the tally after weeks of attempting to do so.

Here’s a look at five of the most important moves on this week’s Hot 100 singles chart.

No. 2 – Cardi B – “Up”

For much of last week, it looked like Cardi B was headed right for a second career No. 1 debut on the Hot 100 with her new single “Up,” but alas, that didn’t end up happening after all the numbers were tabulated. Instead, the cut, which has been called the second official single from the rapper’s forthcoming sophomore album, opens in the runner-up rung, which is somewhat disappointing. The catchy tune, which does manage to arrive as the No. 1 bestselling and most-streamed track of the period in the U.S., is beaten by Olivia Rodrigo’s unstoppable “Drivers License,” which earns a fifth frame atop the Hot 100.

“Up” is Cardi’s ninth top 10 hit on the Hot 100.

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No. 17 – Pooh Shiesty – “Back in Blood (ft. Lil Durk)”

As his debut album Shiesty Season debuts at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, rapper Pooh Shiesty enjoys his best frame yet on the Hot 100 as well. The hip-hop talent’s single “Back in Blood,” the standout track from his full-length, rockets into the top 20, settling at No. 17. The tune is the first top 40 hit for Shiesty and the third for Durk. 

Coming in behind “Back in Blood” are two other Shiesty songs, with “Neighbors” (with BIG30) and “Box of Churches” (with 21 Savage) debuting at Nos. 51 and 81, respectively. Shiesty has now collected four Hot 100 hits throughout his career.

No. 28 – Megan Thee Stallion – “Cry Baby (ft. DaBaby)”

Megan Thee Stallion’s debut album Good News continues to be the gift that keeps giving, as another one of the songs featured on the set climbs to an important new peak on the Hot 100 this week. “Cry Baby,” which features fellow rapper DaBaby (appropriately, looking at the name), shoots into the top 40 for the first time, pushing to No. 28.

The song is now Stallion’s ninth top 40 placement on the Hot 100 and DaBaby’s sixteenth.

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No. 82 – Ava Max – “My Head & My Heart”

Ava Max may only have one album under her belt, but she’s been able to spread the hits featured on that full-length out over a number of years, which is impressive in today’s fast-paced musical economy. “My Head & My Heart” finally improved from the Bubbling Under Hot 100, which is essentially a 25-spot extension of the main chart, to the Hot 100 this week. Starting off at No. 82, “My Head & My Heart” is Max’s third appearance on the tally.

No. 95 – Jason Derulo – “Lifestyle (ft. Adam Levine)”

Jason Derulo’s resurgence continues this week with another Hot 100 win, “Lifestyle,” and this time he’s brought Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine with him. 

“Lifestyle,” Derulo’s twenty-second Hot 100 hit, marks his third new placement in less than a year. That’s quite impressive, considering the fact that before this string of successes, he hadn’t sent a tune to the tally for several years in a row. Levine collects his lucky thirteenth solo Hot 100 single (he’s scored 31 with Maroon 5) and his first in five years.

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