Scoreboard: Drake Back On Top, Rick Ross

This week on Scoreboard Drake takes #1 while setting records; Rick Ross follows.

Billboard Artist Top 10

For the magazine dated April 8, 2017

See the full chart at http://www.billboard.com/charts/artist-100

This week on the charts it’s Drake‘s turn to reassert who’s boss. @champagnepapi was last on top of the Artist 100 20 weeks ago. This week he back at #1 on the Artist 100 as a result of his new album More Life, which also comes in at #1 on the Billboard 200. His achievements this week set up a parade of superlatives: he ties Eminem and Kanye West for second-most #1 albums among rappers (Jay-Z is still #1); he sets a new Billboard Hot 100 record for most tracks on the chart (with 24!); and @champagnepapi also zooms past Lil Wayne for most charted singles on the Hot 100 by a solo artist (with 154). Despite charting 24 hits, Drake is nowhere near the top of the Hot 100 where Ed Sheeran sits with “Shape Of You” for the ninth week in a row.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSUA-LkF3Lu/?taken-by=depechemode&hl=en

Depeche Mode’s Spirit lands the veteran techno-rockers in the Artist Top 10 for the first time ever (NB: the fragrance is an April Fool’s joke)

Drake Has More Life

Drake’s More Life has been described as a “playlist” prior to its release. On it, @champagnepapi raps, sings, and gets down with the dancehall sound of last year’s #1 “One Dance.” The album’s title is a positive Jamaican slang phrase and his father Dennis Graham is pictured on the cover. Drake’s mother Sandi Graham also lands on the album, leaving a voicemail on “Can’t Have Everything,” on which she tells her son “I’m a bit concerned about this negative tone that I’m hearing in your voice these days.” Perhaps mom’s admonition has encouraged @champagnepapi to take a step back from the negativity and let guest artists insert their influence on the playlist. The biggest guest here is Kanye West who brings out Earth, Wind & Fire on “Glow.” But many of the artists on the album are lesser known. There is Sampha, from Britain, channeling electronic soul on “4422.” South African DJ Black Coffee spins on “Get It Together,” a duet between Drake and British R&B singer Jorja Smith, which is a sequel to both “One Dance” and “Too Good” ft. Rihanna. British rapper Giggs takes over the bouncy “No Long Talk” and “KMT.” Quavo, Travis Scott, Young Thug, and even 2 Chainz show up to represent the U.S.A.

Opening the tent up to collaborators and different styles for 22 tracks not only ensures that @champagnepapi sets Billboard Hot 100 and streaming records, but also serves as a hedge for Drake’s relevance. Because the album is a playlist, there is less pressure to have a hit and more freedom for Drake to explore. In the context of the surrounding 21 tracks, the previously released single “Fake Love” seems out of place (isn’t this what Sandi Graham warned her son about?). Yet the highest-charting of those 21 new entries on the Hot 100 is “Passionfruit,” where @champagnepapi goes all Lite FM on a smooth R&B track about breaking up. There are many Drakes and the gentle one may be prove to be the most lasting for @champagnepapi.

Drake leaning in on @jorjasmith_, who duets with him on “Get It Together”

Rick Ross Also Has A New Album

When one looks past Drake’s dominance this week one finds veteran Miami rapper Rick Ross with his ninth album Rather You Than Me. Ricky Rozay had been quiet the last few years – his only top 40 appearance on the Hot 100 in 2015 and 2016 was the EDM mashup “Purple Lamborghini” from Suicide Squad, a vicious warmup jam led by Skrillex. It would be nice if there was more EDM on Rather You Than Me but instead it is familiar Southern trap. In fact the only hit off the new album to make Hot 100 is “Trap Trap Trap” ft. Young Thug and Wale. Having reached age 41, @richforever needs help and brings in more guest rappers per capita than Drake, snagging Nas, Jeezy, Future, and Meek Mill, among others. If you are into comedy there is also Chris Rock being a hypeman on “Idols Become Rivals,” calling out Belaire Rosé and Wingstop, two of Ross’s business ventures. It could very well be that @richforever makes more cash money by being a brand ambassador today than by making music, and Rather You Than Me may just be a promotional vehicle for his businesses. I guess you have to diversify in order to be rich forever.

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Rick Ross stunting with the Belaire