Many outlets, including Entertainment Weekly , are reporting that Kanye West has passed Michael Jackson when it comes to earning top 40 hits.
“The always modest Kanye West now has another accolade to rap about as he has passed the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, on the list of most Top 40 hits of all time.”
The article notes that West achieved this with his collaboration with Schoolboy Q on “ That Part .” This gives Kanye West 40 top 40 hits. Still, Elvis Presley, Lil Wayne, Elton John, Drake, Stevie Wonder, Jay Z, James Brown, Chris Brown, and Marvin Gaye have scored more. But there is a big catch to this list, and it has something to do with what the Inquisitr noted two weeks ago as it was revealed Rihanna surpassed Madonna’s chart record.
Billboardhas changed their chart rules over the years, and now, any album cut can chart in the Hot 100 based on Spotify streams or even iTunes sales. Before 1998, a song was only eligible to chart if a it was actually released as a single to record stores all across America. Then, after 1998, a song could chart as a promotional release, but it needed enough airplay to qualify.
Several songs by Kanye West, Taylor Swift, or even Nicki Minaj would not have charted if they had been considered before 2005, when USA Today revealed Billboard ‘s new chart system.
“For the first time, Billboard magazine will include songs sold by download in its weekly calculation of the nation’s top hits. The change reflects the booming popularity of digital music players like Apple’s iPod, which has accounted for dramatic increases in download sales.”
As digital downloads became the primary way people consumed music, several songs from an artist’s album were eligible to chart, even if the record company didn’t plan to release these songs as singles. Billboard should point this out, but haven’t. It seems as if the magazine is more interested in page hits than being honest with their readers.
Still, nobody can deny Kanye West’s influence, as well as his knack for creating controversy on a daily basis. For the past couple of weeks, Kanye’s feud with Taylor Swift has made front-page headlines. Kanye caused a huge Taylor Swift backlash when Kim Kardashian released a snapchat video. In the video, one can hear Kanye conversing with Taylor Swift about his song “Famous,” and that she was okay with it.
According to Vanity Fair , Kanye West recently added fuel to the feud’s fire when making a surprise appearance with Drake in Chicago.
“During his appearance at Drake’s show, West told the crowd, “All I gotta say is I’m so glad my wife has Snapchat. ‘Cause now y’all can know the truth, and can’t nobody talk shit about Ye no more!”
He then launched into “Famous,” taking the first line, “For all the Southside ni**as that know me best, I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex,” himself.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7EaRH2bloA
The article adds that Kanye West and the crowd shouted the “I made that bit** famous” line several times. It’s a good thing that Taylor Swift has been nowhere near Chicago. It is believed that the pop star has been very quiet lately because she certainly doesn’t want to add fuel to the backlash.
You can bet that Kanye West will ride the Taylor Swift feud as long as he can. Besides breaking (alleged) chart records, Kanye West is best known for constantly causing a commotion.
[Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]