Travis Scott’s new album era kicks off with a No. 2 debut on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for “K-POP,” which debuts on the list dated Aug. 5. The song, a collaboration with Bad Bunny and The Weeknd, was released on July 21 and previewed the rap star’s Utopia album. The long-awaited set, which Scott had been teasing since 2020, was released on Friday (July 28) and will arrive on the Billboard charts dated Aug. 12.
“K-POP,” released on Cactus Jack/Epic Records, traces its start to 19.4 million official U.S. streams earned in the week ending July 27, according to Luminate, prompting its No. 3 entrance on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs chart. The track also sold 35,000 copies through multiple configurations — as a vinyl single for $10, on CD for $3.50 and original, explicit, instrumental, sped-up and “Chopped & Screwed” digital download versions for 69 cents each. 13,000 of the 35,000 sold came through digital versions, allowing for a No. 1 debut on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart.
In line with big streaming and sales starts, “K-POP” also registered strong reception with radio airplay, hardly a surprise given the superstar caliber of the song’s three artists. Reflecting the wide reach of Scott, Bad Bunny and The Weeknd, “K-POP” launches on two radio format charts – Rhythmic Airplay (No. 30), Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (No. 35) – and sits just below Pop Airplay’s No. 40 anchor slot.
As “K-POP” pops onto Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Travis Scott logs his 21st top 10 on the chart and highest rank since “Franchise,” featuring Young Thug and M.I.A., debuted at No. 1 in October 2020. For Bad Bunny, the new entry is only his second career appearance on the list, after former No. 1 “I Like It,” his 2018 collaboration with Cardi B and J. Balvin. The Weeknd, meanwhile, claims his 24th Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs top 10. It’s his fourth of 2023, following his and 21 Savage’s featured turns on Metro Boomin’s “Creepin,” (which debuted in December 2022 and has ranked in the top 10 each week of 2023), “Die for You,” with Ariana Grande, which reached No. 1 for one week in March, and “Double Fantasy,” featuring Future, a No. 8 hit in May.
“K-POP” reunites Scott with both artists, while Bad Bunny and The Weeknd appear on a track together for the first time. Scott and Bad Bunny previously worked in tandem on two remix tracks. First, Bad Bunny joined Major Lazer’s “Know No Better,” featuring Scott, Camila Cabello and Quavo, for an update in 2017, while Scott hopped on a remix for Farruko, Nicki Minaj and Bad Bunny’s “Krippy Kush” later that year.
Scott and The Weeknd, meanwhile, extend their frequent partnership to a fifth collaboration, after the R&B/pop star appeared on Scott’s “Pray 4 Love” (2015), and lent uncredited vocals to “Wonderful” (2015), and Astroworld tracks “Skeletons” and “Wake Up” (both 2018). No. 6 is already secured, too, as The Weeknd and Swae Lee feature on Utopia cut “Circus Maximus.”
Elsewhere, “K-POP” begins at No. 2 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and at No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. The single is also an instant worldwide hit, launching at No. 5 on the Billboard Global 200 and No. 6 on the Global Excl. U.S. list.
