Drake Breaks Michael Jackson's Billboard Record With 'Janice STFU'

The Canadian's latest release did more than top the Billboard Hot 100. It pushed the rapper past Michael Jackson for one of the chart's most notable solo male records.

The milestone arrived after Drake surprised fans with three new albums on May 15, 2026. Less than two weeks later, those projects gave him one of the most dominant chart weeks of his career.

Drake on stage during Day Two of Wireless Festival 2025 at Finsbury Park on July 12 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Drake Earned His 14th Hot 100 No. 1

Drake's "Janice STFU" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving the Canadian rapper his 14th career leader on the chart. With that achievement, he moved ahead of Michael Jackson for the most Hot 100 No. 1 songs among solo male artists.

Jackson previously held the record with 13 solo No. 1 hits. His run began with "Ben" in 1972 and included nine chart-toppers during the 1980s.

Michael Jackson performs during the "Bad" tour at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 1988, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

His final No. 1, "You Are Not Alone," debuted at the top of the chart in 1995, and the King of Pop held the solo male record for more than three decades. For Drake, the new milestone came during an unusually dominant week.

"Janice STFU," from his album "ICEMAN," opened with 40.7 million official streams, 2.1 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 3,000 copies sold in the United States from May 15 to May 21.

His Three New Albums Took Over the Charts

Drake's chart surge followed the release of "ICEMAN," "HABIBTI," and "MAID OF HONOUR," which all arrived on May 15 through OVO Sound and Republic.

The projects debuted at Nos. 1, 2, and 3 on the Billboard 200, making Drake the first artist to hold the top three spots at the same time in the chart's 70-year history. Each album offered a different side of his sound.

Drake onstage during Day Two of Wireless Festival 2025 at Finsbury Park on July 12 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

"ICEMAN" served as his ninth studio rap album and featured appearances from 21 Savage, Future, and Molly Santana. The project leaned into sharp bars and industry commentary, including apparent shots at A$AP Rocky, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, LeBron James, and Rihanna.

"HABIBTI" brought a smoother R&B-driven sound that reminded some fans of Drake's earlier work, while "MAID OF HONOUR" moved into a more energetic, dance-heavy space inspired by electronic and Jersey club sounds.

Drake Set Even More Billboard Records

Beyond his No. 1 debut, Drake placed 42 songs on the Hot 100 in a single week, breaking the previous record of 37 songs set by Morgan Wallen last May.

Drake following the NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors at Scotiabank Arena on January 13, 2025, in Toronto, Canada. | Source: Getty Images

"Janice STFU" also became his 32nd No. 1 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts. With that, he continued to widen his lead over other acts on both rankings.

After years of teasing "ICEMAN" through livestream snippets and unreleased previews, Drake turned one long-awaited project into something much bigger. By adding two surprise albums to the release, he created a chart moment that reshaped several Billboard records at once.