The Weeknd Brings Madonna, Ariana Grande, And Blackpink's ...

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 12: The Weeknd attends 20th Century Studio's "Avatar 2: The Way of ... [+] Water" U.S. Premiere at Dolby Theatre on December 12, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

The Weeknd is the most successful musician on this week’s edition of the R&B Streaming Songs chart. The Canadian superstar fills four spaces on the 15-spot ranking of the most-streamed R&B tracks in the country this time around. Just one of those tunes is new, while the others are all in the process of returning to prominence.

The Weeknd isn’t alone in this sweep on the R&B Streaming Songs chart. He’s joined by a group of fellow musical stars, including names like Madonna, Ariana Grande, and even Blackpink singer Jennie.

The highest-ranking of The Weeknd’s current hits on the R&B Streaming Songs chart is “Die For You.” The track was originally a solo affair, but after it went viral on TikTok, the Grammy winner re-released it as a single, years after it was first shared. After Grande joined on a remix, it became a Hot 100 No. 1. Now, the tune is back at No. 4 on the streaming-only ranking.

Just three spots further down on the R&B Streaming Songs chart comes The Weeknd’s only new entrant this frame. “One of the Girls” debuts at No. 7 on the list, giving The Weeknd another smash. The chart-ruler has now hit the top 10 with 52 different tracks, which may be one of the greatest accumulations of wins on the tally among all artists.

“One of the Girls” is not a solo affair, and with its arrival, the two featured artists both score their first hit on the R&B Streaming Songs chart. Lily Rose Depp and Jennie, known best as one of the four singers in the K-pop girl group Blackpink, arrive on the tally for the first time. The tune was written and recorded for The Weeknd’s TV show The Idol, which aired on HBO in 2023.

Coming in just behind “One of the Girls,” The Weeknd lands another The Idol track. “Popular” is back at No. 8 on this week’s R&B Streaming Songs chart. The tune, which credits both Madonna and Playboi Carti as featured acts, has previously climbed to No. 2, missing out on becoming a champion by one frustrating spot.

Down at No. 10 on the latest version of the R&B Streaming Songs chart is “Blinding Lights.” Perhaps the biggest hit of The Weeknd’s career, the tune ranks as one of the most successful tracks of all time on the tally. It spent 31 weeks at No. 1, and now it’s back inside the top 10.

This week’s R&B Streaming Songs chart looks very different from last period’s. Now that January is in full swing, holiday hits have almost entirely vacated the Billboard rankings, which means there is plenty of room for returning smashes. Last frame’s R&B Streaming Songs chart was dominated by Christmas singles by the likes of Nat King Cole, The Ronettes, and Stevie Wonder, but now they’re all gone again.

MORE FROM FORBESHas The Weeknd Turned Madonna's Career Around?By Hugh McIntyre