With Another No. 1 Debut, BTS Join A Club Including Britney Spears, Justin Bieber And Lady Gaga

BTS are back at No. 1 on the Hot 100 this week with their new single “Life Goes On,” but this isn’t just any chart-topper. The song, which serves as the most recent focus track from their full-length BE (which itself is in charge of the Billboard 200 this frame), debuts atop the most competitive songs ranking in the U.S. It’s important to note that the cut was popular enough upon its arrival to open on the throne, as this latest feat helps the band behind the leader join a small, but ever-expanding club of some of the biggest names in the music industry.

BTS is the latest entrant into a group of artists who have managed to snag more than one No. 1 debut on the Hot 100, and they’re in some truly legendary company.

Leading the way among all artists when it comes to the most No. 1 starts in Hot 100 history is Ariana Grande, who can incredibly claim that all five of her leaders on the all-genre tally have started off in first place. That sum includes a trio of champions that all launched at No. 1 in 2020 alone.

MORE FROM FORBESBTS Earn Their Third No. 1 Hit As ‘Life Goes On’ Debuts In First PlaceBy Hugh McIntyre

A handful of acts have now accrued three No. 1 debuts, with two rounding up to a trio this year. Mariah Carey was the first musician to land three chart-topping starts, and she now sits alongside Drake, Travis Scott and Justin Bieber who have managed the same amazing show of popularity.

BTS is one of four musical acts who have seen two hit singles open at No. 1 on the Hot 100, and that figure is sure to expand sometime soon. Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and now the South Korean superstars have all collected a pair of immediate leaders, with all but Spears advancing from one champion to two in 2020.

Quite a few other acts have debuted just one tune atop the Hot 100, never finding a way to do so again…at least not yet. Chances are the one of the aforementioned names will grab an additional instantaneous ruler before another act earns a second, though there’s no telling what hits are right on the horizon and what may happen next.

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