The Silk Sonic stranglehold on R&B/hip-hop radio arrives at a new milestone as the duo, comprised of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, achieves a 16th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart with “Leave the Door Open.” Thanks to its latest frame in charge, on the chart dated Aug. 7, the single becomes one of the five longest-leading No. 1s in the chart’s history.
“Door” retains its crown despite a 9% slide to 20.3 million audience in the week ending Aug. 1, according to MRC Data. Even as its declines from its audience peaks, the song holds a commanding lead against all challengers. This week’s gap between “Door” and the current No. 2 title, “Heartbreak Anniversary” in audience is equal to the difference between “Anniversary” and the No. 8 rank.
With “Door” posting a 16th term in the top slot, here’s a look at the songs with the most weeks at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay since the chart began in 1992:
Weeks at No. 1, Song Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
29, “Go Crazy,” Chris Brown & Young Thug, Aug. 22, 2020
27, “No Guidance,” Chris Brown featuring Drake, Aug. 24, 2019
23, “Adorn,” Miguel, Sept. 22, 2012
16, “Boo’d Up,” Ella Mai, June 23, 2018
16, “Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic, April 24, 2021
15, “Be Without You,” Mary J. Blige, Jan. 7, 2006
15, “Hotline Bling,” Drake, Oct. 24, 2015
In other Silk Sonic news, the duo released their long-awaited second single, “Skate,” on July 30. The track is off to a rapid start on radio, with 6.9 million in audience in just three days to prompt a No. 23 debut on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. The entrance is the highest for any title since Drake’s “Toosie Slide” raced in at No. 22 in April 2020.
Adult-based R&B radio stations clearly have given the song their stamp of approval, as “Skate” starts at No. 18 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart. Mainstream-based stations aren’t far behind, with “Skate” hovering just below the 40-position cutoff on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay list.
The full impact of “Skate” and its first week results – including sales and streams – and its debut positions on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and similar charts will be available on Tuesday (Aug. 10).
