There have been plenty of successful rappers throughout history – countless artists have notched up multiplatinum plaques, sold out worldwide tours and put out smash hits.
But when it comes to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, well, there’s only a select few rappers who have managed to reach that position. The Billboard Hot 100 is a chart that ranks the most popular songs in the US based on sales, radio airplay, and streaming activity. For many artists, scoring a number one hit on this chart is a major accomplishment and a mark of success. When you’re talking about the rappers with the multiple number one hits, that number is even smaller.
More recently, as hip hop has taken over the most popular and influential genre in the world, these rap number one hits have come more often – just peep Drake, Travis Scott and Cardi’s catalogue.
From Ja Rule, Nelly and OutKast, to Drake, Travis Scott, and Kanye West, here are 15 rappers with the most number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 1
2
Rihanna ft. Drake – “What’s My Name?” (October 26, 2010)
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work” (January 27, 2016)
“One Dance” ft. Wizkid and Kyla (April 5, 2016)
“God’s Plan” (January 19, 2018)
“Nice for What” (April 6, 2018)
“In My Feelings” (July 10, 2018)
Travis Scott ft. Drake – “Sicko Mode” (August 21, 2018)
“Toosie Slide” (April 3, 2020)
“What’s Next” (March 5, 2021)
“Way 2 Sexy” ft. Future and Young Thug (September 3, 2021)
Future ft. Drake and Tems – “Wait for U” (May 3, 2022)
Drake ft. 21 Savage – “Jimmy Cooks” (June 17, 2022)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 5
“Lose Yourself” (October 28, 2002)
“Crack a Bottle ft. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent (February 2, 2009)
“Not Afraid” (April 29, 2010)
“Love the Way You Lie” ft. Rihanna (June 18, 2010)
“The Monster” ft. Rihanna (October 29, 2013)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 5
“Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” ft. Mase (January 25, 1997)
“I’ll Be Missing You” ft. Faith Evans and 112 (May 27, 1997)
The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Puff Daddy and Mase – “Mo Money Mo Problems” (July 15, 1997)
B2K ft. P. Diddy – “Bump, Bump, Bump” (October 23, 2002)
“Shake Ya Tailfeather” w/ Nelly and Murphy Lee (June 29, 2003)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 5
“Stand Up” ft. Shawnna (August 19, 2003)
Usher ft. Lil Jon and Ludacris – “Yeah!” (January 27, 2004)
“Money Maker” ft. Pharrell (July 17, 2006)
Fergie ft. Ludacris – “Glamorous” (January 23, 2007)
Taio Cruz ft. Ludacris – “Break Your Heart” (13 September 2009)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 5
“Bodak Yellow” (June 16, 2017)
“I Like It” ft. Bad Bunny and J Balvin (May 25, 2018)
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B – “Girls Like You” (May 30, 2018)
“WAP” ft. Megan Thee Stallion (August 6, 2020)
“Up” (February 5, 2021)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 4
“Hot in Herre” (May 7, 2002)
“Dilemma” ft. Kelly Rowland (June 25, 2002)
“Shake Ya Tailfeather” w/ P. Diddy and Murphy Lee (June 29, 2003)
“Grillz” ft. Paul Wall and Ali & Gipp (November 1, 2005)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 4
Mariah Carey ft. Jay-Z – “Heartbreaker” (August 23, 1999)
Beyonce ft. Jay-Z – “Crazy in Love” (May 14, 2003)
Rihanna ft. Jay-Z – “Umbrella” (March 29, 2007)
“Empire State of Mind” ft. Alicia Keys (October 20, 2009)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 4
“Slow Jamz” ft. Twista and Jamie Foxx (December 2, 2003)
“Gold Digger” ft. Jamie Foxx (July 5, 2005)
“Stronger” (July 31, 2007)
Katy Perry ft. Kanye West – “E.T.” (February 11, 2011)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 4
“In da Club” (January 7, 2003)
“21 Questions” ft. Nate Dogg (March 4, 2003)
“Candy Shop” ft. Olivia (February 8, 2005)
Eminem ft. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent – “Crack a Bottle” (February 2, 2009)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 4
“Whatever You Like” (July 29, 2008)
“Live Your Life” ft. Rihanna (September 16, 2008)
Justin Timberlake ft. T.I. – “My Love” (October 24, 2006)
Robin Thicke ft. T.I. and Pharrell Williams – “Blurred Lines” (March 26, 2013)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 4
“Sicko Mode” ft. Drake (August 21, 2018)
“Highest in the Room” (October 4, 2019)
“The Scotts” (April 24, 2020)
“Franchise” ft. Young Thug and M.I.A. (September 25, 2020)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 3
“Lollipop” (March 13, 2008)
Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne – “Down” (November 23, 2009)
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne – “I’m the One” (April 28, 2017)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 3
“Ms. Jackson” (October 24, 2000)
“Hey Ya!” (August 25, 2003)
“The Way You Move” ft. Sleepy Brown (August 25, 2003)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 3
“Low” (October 9, 2007)
“Right Round” ft. Kesha (January 27, 2009)
“Whistle” (April 24, 2012)
Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 3
“Always on Time” ft. Ashanti (November 27, 2001)
Jennifer Lopez ft. Ja Rule – “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” (June 19, 2001)
Jennifer Lopez ft. Ja Rule – “Ain’t It Funny (Murder Remix)” (January 7, 2002)
