Billboard has officially crowned Drake as the No. 1 R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the 21st century, cementing the Canadian superstar’s unprecedented dominance in contemporary music. The prestigious ranking, made official in August 2025, places him ahead of industry powerhouses including Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Chris Brown, and Usher after a thorough evaluation of chart performance spanning from 2000 to 2024.
Drake’s chart statistics tell a remarkable story of commercial success, with 30 No. 1 hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and 15 chart-topping albums that collectively spent 67 weeks in the premier position. His versatility and prolific output have resulted in 135 top 10 hits and an astounding 355 total chart entries on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts, establishing records that may remain unmatched for generations.
What makes Drake’s dominance particularly impressive is that his first Billboard chart appearance didn’t occur until 2009, giving him a comparatively late start within the 21st-century timeframe. Despite this delayed entry, he quickly ascended to the upper echelons of the industry, claiming Billboard’s year-end R&B/Hip-Hop Artist title eight times—in 2012, 2015-2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024. His strategic use of streaming platforms across multiple services has significantly amplified his reach and revenue beyond traditional distribution channels.
The thorough Billboard assessment factored in both solo releases and collaborations, acknowledging Drake’s exceptional ability to cross genres and adapt to evolving consumption patterns through streaming platforms and traditional sales channels. His influence extends beyond personal achievements, having redefined crossover appeal and introduced innovative sounds that have shaped mainstream music rotation. Each of his album releases has sparked significant industry-wide conversations and consistently shifted the soundscapes dominating mainstream music. Industry observers have noted that his consistent chart-topping performance has fundamentally altered how success is measured in the genre.
In the final rankings, Beyoncé secured the No. 2 position, followed by The Weeknd, Chris Brown, and Usher completing the top five. The remainder of the elite top 10 features Lil Wayne, JAY-Z, Rihanna, Eminem, and Alicia Keys—established legends whom Drake has statistically surpassed. Drake has masterfully diversified his income through sync deals with major films and video games, significantly boosting his revenue beyond traditional music sales.
These rankings reflect both commercial performance and cultural impact, highlighting a significant shift in R&B/Hip-Hop leadership and confirming Drake’s status as the foremost commercial and cultural force in the genre since 2000.
