After 4 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign’s song “Carnival” featuring Rich The Kid & Playboi Carti has finally reached the top of the charts. Overall, this marks West’s 5th No.1, Ty’s 2nd, and the first for Rich The Kid and Playboi Carti.
According to Luminate, for the week ending on March 7th, the song garnered 33.7 million streams (an increase of 4%), sold 3,000 downloads (a 15% increase), and had an impressive 3.9 million radio audience impressions (an 85% increase).
Worthy of the legendary rapper
The song was released on July 10th as part of the collaborative album between Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign, “Vultures 1,” through West’s record label, YZY. The album, released amidst controversy surrounding West, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and stayed there for 2 weeks, currently holding the No. 3 spot in its fourth week. “Carnival” itself debuted at No. 3 on the Hot 100 and has now climbed to No. 1.
Kanye West (right) and Ty Dolla Sign at the listening session for “Vultures” on February 8, 2024.
West’s previous No. 1 on the Hot 100 came almost 13 years ago when he featured on Katy Perry’s “E.T.” His other No. 1 hits include “Stronger” (2007), “Gold Digger” (featuring Jamie Foxx, 2005), and “Slow Jamz” (by Twista featuring West and Foxx, 2004).
It’s not uncommon for major artists to take a long time to return to No. 1 like West. Recently, Brenda Lee set a record with over 63 years between her No. 1 hits “I Want To Be Wanted” (1960) and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (2023). Excluding holiday music, West had the longest wait since Coldplay’s over 13-year gap between “Viva La Vida” (2008) and “My Universe” (with BTS, 2021). At the age of 46, West is also the oldest rapper to achieve a No. 1 hit.
Rich The Kid (left) and Playboi Carti are two young talents who have helped bring success to “Carnival.”
Although it took 4 weeks to reach No.1, “Carnival” remains Kanye West’s fastest-charting song to the top of the charts. Previously, this record belonged to “E.T.” with 7 weeks.
With this achievement, West now holds No.1 hits in the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s, making him the only male artist to achieve this honor. Overall, only Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Lady Gaga have had No.1 hits in all three decades (Carey’s success largely due to the enduring popularity of her Christmas song “All I Want For Christmas Is You”). Thus, West also becomes the only rapper to achieve this feat.
From “Slow Jamz” to “Carnival,” West has spent 20 years and 1 month atop the Hot 100. Those with longer careers include Brenda Lee (over 63 years), Mariah Carey (33), Cher (28), Elton John (24), Michael Jackson (22), Stevie Wonder (22), Rod Stewart (22), and Beyoncé (20).
It’s worth noting that “Carnival” snagged the No.1 spot from Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” marking the first time artists with over 20 years at the top have been displaced, excluding holiday music.
In addition to the Hot 100, “Carnival” also leads the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the Hot Rap Songs chart, and the Streaming Songs chart. Outside the US, the song has topped charts in several countries around the world, including Australia, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, and the UK.
In 2024, West truly needed a hit to re-establish his commercial dominance, especially as an independent artist after being abandoned by major labels.
Back to the top
Despite the controversies surrounding Kanye West’s personal life, “Carnival” has been highly praised by critics.
XXL magazine stated that the lyrics written by West have created “perhaps his most remarkable verses to date.” The production, handled by West, Ty, The Legendary Traxster, TheLabCook, Ojivolta, and Digital Nas, received widespread acclaim.
Billboard regarded “Carnival” as the standout track on the album, stating that it is “the perfect example of why everyone endured all the controversies, album delays, and madness of being a Kanye fan because no one else in rap can create generational moments like this.” According to Vultures, “more than anything, it feels like West is aiming to make a hit. Specifically, this is the kind of record that will have thousands of people chanting in a soccer stadium.”
With his extensive legacy, West doesn’t necessarily need another No.1 hit to prove his musical talent. However, in 2024, he truly needed a hit to re-establish his commercial dominance, especially as an independent artist after being abandoned by major labels.
At a time when many major rappers are struggling to produce hits, West has shown that he still knows what drives the dominant trends in 2024, garnering attention and recognition for his creative madness.
In his three previous projects, none of the songs achieved the level of success that “Carnival” has. What makes “Carnival” special?
According to Billboard commentators, “Carnival” is undoubtedly West’s most compelling single since the “Life Of Pablo” album (2016). While “Jesus Is King” (2019) struggled to sell due to its gospel theme and “Donda” (2021) had potential but faced chaotic releases and unfavorable public perception surrounding the rapper.
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