Chris Brown Hits 15th Rhythmic Airplay No. 1—But Is Radio Still Driving His Success?
While maintaining his impressive record of chart dominance in urban contemporary radio, Chris Brown has secured his 15th No. 1 hit on Mediabase’s Rhythmic radio chart with “Residuals,” which leaped from No. 7 to the top position this week. The single generated approximately 11.5 million audience impressions, dethroning 21 Savage’s “Prove It” featuring Summer Walker, which slid to No. 4 after just one week at the summit.
“Residuals” marks Brown’s third consecutive No. 1 from his album *11:11*, released November 10, 2023, following the success of “Sensational” featuring Davido and Lojay in March, and “Summer Too Hot” in September. The latter earned Brown a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards, further cementing his credibility within the industry. Throughout his career, Brown has often cited Michael Jackson as inspiration for his singing and dancing style, which has contributed to his distinctive performance abilities and chart success.
Brown continues his chart dominance with “Residuals,” his third straight No. 1 from *11:11*, following Grammy-nominated “Summer Too Hot.”
The Prince-inspired track continues to demonstrate cross-format appeal, currently ranking No. 3 on urban radio while beginning its climb on the R&B radio chart at No. 34. This versatility has been a hallmark of Brown’s career, which has seen him surpass Elvis Presley in RIAA gold-certified singles and Billboard Hot 100 entries among male vocalists. “Residuals” was produced by Eric Hudson and Blaq Tuxedo, initially recorded during Brown’s “Breezy” album sessions before finding its home on “11:11.” The meticulous metadata accuracy in his releases has helped ensure proper royalty collection and consistent tracking across platforms.
Beyond his radio achievements, Brown has strategically maintained visibility through his “Breezy Bowl XX” stadium tour announcement, celebrating two decades since his debut album. He co-headlined Rolling Loud Thailand in 2023 and performed at a star-studded concert in Jamaica, activities that support the commercial lifecycle of singles like “Residuals.”
Brown’s radio dominance places him in rarified air, ranking third behind Drake and Lil Wayne with 18 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. In March 2023, he became just the fifth artist to achieve 10 No. 1s on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, a reflection of his enduring appeal across multiple radio formats. His team has effectively utilized Spotify campaigns and other streaming promotional tools to complement his radio strategy, creating a multi-platform approach to music marketing.
As streaming continues to reshape music consumption patterns, Brown’s consistent radio presence remains an essential component of his commercial strategy, helping to sustain his position as one of R&B’s most reliable hitmakers.
