https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9353636/drake-weeknd-face-off-no-1-hot-100
Drake's new single "Toosie Slide" appears primed to challenge for a No. 1 debut on next week's Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated April 18).
The song, released at midnight ET Friday April 3, is aiming to dethrone The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights," which has led for two weeks running.
According to projections based on building Nielsen Music/MRC Data figures, "Toosie Slide" (released on OVO Sound/Republic Records) could draw over 45 million U.S. streams, 20 million in airplay audience and 20,000 downloads sold in its first full tracking week. "Blinding Lights" (on XO/Republic) could sport over 95 million in radio reach, 20 million streams and 15,000 sold.
If "Toosie Slide" launches atop the Hot 100, Drake would earn his seventh No. 1 on the survey and first since "In My Feelings," which dominated for 10 weeks in July-September 2018. He would extend his mark for the most No. 1s among rappers, pushing further ahead of runners-up Diddy, Eminem and Ludacris, each with five.
"Toosie Slide" would also become Drake's record-padding 209th Hot 100 entry. On the March 21-dated chart, he passed the Glee Cast for the most appearances in the tally's 61-year history when "Oprah's Bank Account," with Lil Yachty and DaBaby, debuted.
Plus, "Toosie Slide" is set to arrive as Drake's 37th Hot 100 top 10, pushing him to within one of Madonna's record 38 top 10s.
As Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs employs the same methodology as the Hot 100, "Toosie Slide" will likewise battle "Blinding Lights" for No. 1 on the former list next week. Drake would make history if he starts at the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs summit: He would notch his 20th No. 1, tying Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder for the most in the chart's archives.
The top 10 of the April 18-dated Hot 100 is scheduled to be revealed Monday (April 13), with all charts updating on Billboard.com Tuesday (April 14).