Chart Commentary — MAY 2, 2026

“DROP”PING IN AT #1

Olivia Rodrigo’s “drop dead” begins its chart life at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It arrives as her fourth leader, with all having launched in the top spot.  The singer-songwriter first reigned with “drivers license” for eight weeks in January-March 2021. She followed with “good 4 u” for a week in May 2021 and “vampire” for two weeks in July-September 2023.

Already the first artist to debut the lead singles from her first two studio albums at No. 1 on the Hot 100, Rodrigo extends her mark, with “drop dead” ushering in her third LP, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, due June 12. “drivers license” revved anticipation for her first set, Sour (with “good 4 u” also from the album), and “vampire” introduced Guts.

“DROP” AND/OR “DEAD” AT NUMBER 1

Rodrigo drops the fourth Hot 100 No. 1 with “drop” in its title. “Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell led for three weeks in 2004, following “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” by Freddy Fender (one week, 1975) and “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” by B.J. Thomas (four weeks, 1970).

Meanwhile, a song with “dead” in its title tops the Hot 100 for the first time. (Honorable mention to Rodrigo’s 2023 No. 1, as vampires are undead.) “drop dead” surpasses

“Dead and Gone” by T.I. featuring Justin Timberlake (No. 2 peak in 2009)

“Freddie’s Dead (Theme From Superfly)” by Curtis Mayfield (No. 4, 1972)

“Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi (No. 7, 1987)

“Dead Man’s Curve” by Jan & Dean (No. 8, 1964)

“We Might Be Dead by Tomorrow” by Soko (No. 9, 2014). 

Plus, Grateful Dead hit No. 6 with the lively “Touch of Grey” in 1987.

21st CENTURY ARTISTS + MOST NUMBER ONES

Rodrigo, 23, remains the only artist born this century with multiple Hot 100 No. 1s.  Here’s an updated rundown of the seven acts born since Y2K to lead the list:

• Olivia Rodrigo: “drop dead,” hit No. 1 May 2, 2026; “vampire,” July 15, 2023; “good 4 u,” May 29, 2021; “drivers license,” Jan. 23, 2021 (born in 2003)
• 24kGoldn: “Mood,” feat. Iann Dior, Oct. 24, 2020 (2000)
• Billie Eilish: “Bad Guy,” Aug. 24, 2019 (2001)
• Jawsh 685: “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat),” with Jason Derulo & BTS, Oct. 17, 2020 (2002)
• The Kid LAROI: “Stay,” with Justin Bieber, Aug. 14, 2021 (2003)
• Tate McRae: “What I Want” (Morgan Wallen feat. McRae), May 30, 2025 (2003)
• Alex Warren: “Ordinary,” June 7, 2025 (2000)

BIEBER “DAISIES” BLOOM AGAIN IN THE TEN

Justin Bieber’s “Daisies” returns to the Hot 100’s top 10, bounding 18-8 after it closed his buzzy Coachella performances on both April 11 and April 18. The song, from his 2025 album Swag, debuted at its No. 2 high last July and had last appeared in the top 10 in January.

Jarrett Nolan

I was born a poor Black child into a family that put the “fun” in dysfunction. But through that fun, there was A LOT of music. At a very young age, my parents introduced me to everything ranging from Doo Wop to the British Invasion to Motown to Philly Soul to Psychedlic Rock to Funk.

Since I’m a Jersey boy born-n-bred, I landed a job at WHTZ (Z100) as a producer. I gave the DJs info about artists to read on-air – most of mine were chart-related, naturally.

I did double duty at WSBG, a small market radio station in the Poconos, as a DJ because I have a face for radio.

Through a random twist of fate, I wound up at BMG Distribution in Times Square. Shortly after, I ended up at Arista (shouldn’t have done that!). My career in the music industry ended with a stint at being a personal assistant to alterna-rap act PM Dawn.

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