# Rhythmic Airplay

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US music chart published by Billboard magazine

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The **Rhythmic Airplay** chart (previously named **Rhythmic Songs**, **Rhythmic Top 40** and **CHR/Rhythmic**) is an airplay chart published weekly by [*Billboard* magazine](/source/Billboard_(magazine)).

The chart tracks and measures the airplay of songs played on US [rhythmic radio](/source/Rhythmic_radio) stations, whose playlist includes mostly hit-driven R&B/hip-hop, rhythmic pop, and some dance tracks. [Nielsen Audio](/source/Nielsen_Audio) sometimes refers to the format as [rhythmic contemporary](/source/Rhythmic_contemporary) hit radio.

## History

*Billboard* magazine first took notice of the newly emerged genre on February 27, 1987, when it launched the first [crossover](/source/Crossover_(music)) chart, [Hot Crossover 30](/source/Hot_Crossover_30).[1] It originally consisted of thirty titles and was based on reporting by eighteen stations, five of which were considered as *pure* rhythmic. The chart featured a mix of [urban contemporary](/source/Urban_contemporary), [top 40](/source/Top_40_(radio_format)) and [dance](/source/Dance_music) hits. In September 1989, *Billboard* split the Hot Crossover 30 chart in two: Top 40/Dance and Top 40/Rock, the latter of which focused on [rock](/source/Rock_music) titles which crossed over. By December 1990, *Billboard* eliminated the chart because more [top 40](/source/Top_40_(radio_format)) and R&B stations were becoming identical with the rhythmic-heavy playlist being played at the crossover stations at the time.

*Billboard* revived the chart in October 1992 as **Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover**, with the first number one being "[End of the Road](/source/End_of_the_Road_(Boyz_II_Men_song))" by [Boyz II Men](/source/Boyz_II_Men). On June 25, 1997, it was renamed to Rhythmic Top 40 as a way to distinguish stations that continued to play a broad based rhythmic mix from those whose mix leaned heavily toward R&B and hip-hop. It was changed to Rhythmic Airplay in the February 7, 2004, issue and shortened to Rhythmic on July 12, 2008. As of the week of May 30, 2026, the current number-one song on the chart is "[Pop Dat Thang](/source/Pop_Dat_Thang)" by [DaBaby](/source/DaBaby).[2]

## Chart criteria

There are forty positions on this chart and it is solely based on radio airplay. 66 rhythmic radio stations are electronically monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by [Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems](/source/Nielsen_Broadcast_Data_Systems). Songs are ranked based on the number of plays that each song received during that week.

Songs receiving the greatest growth will receive a "bullet", although there are tracks that will also get bullets if the loss in detections doesn't exceed the percentage of downtime from a monitored station. "Airpower" awards are issued to songs that appear on the top 20 of both the airplay and audience chart for the first time, while the "greatest gainer" award is given to song with the largest increase in detections. A song with six or more spins in its first week is awarded an "airplay add". If a song is tied for the most spins in the same week, the one with the biggest increase that previous week will rank higher, but if both songs show the same amount of spins regardless of detection the song that is being played at more stations is ranked higher. Songs that fall below the top 15 and have been on the chart after 20 weeks are removed.[3]

## Records and achievements

### Song with most weeks at number one

Number of weeks Song Artist(s) Year(s) 15 "No Scrubs" TLC 1999 14 "Twisted" Keith Sweat 1996 13 "Freak Me" Silk 1993 "You Make Me Wanna..." Usher 1997–98 12 "I'll Make Love to You" Boyz II Men 1994 "Fantasy" Mariah Carey 1995 "Lollipop" Lil Wayne featuring Static Major 2008 "Not Like Us" Kendrick Lamar 2024 11 "Shoop" Salt-n-Pepa 1993–94 "Dilemma" Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland 2002

### Artists with most number-one singles

No. 1s Artist Source 43 Drake [4] 17 Rihanna [5] 16 The Weeknd [6] 15 Chris Brown [7] 14 Bruno Mars [8] 13 Usher [9] Lil Wayne [10] 12 Beyoncé [11] Nicki Minaj [12] Doja Cat [13]

### Artists with most entries

Entries Artist Source 136 Drake [14] 126 Chris Brown [15] 110 Lil Wayne [16] 97 Nicki Minaj [17] 62 Kanye West [18] 61 Future [19] 59 Jay-Z [20] 56 Rihanna [21] 56 Pitbull [22] 55 Snoop Dogg [23]

### Artists with most Top 10 entries

Entries Artist Source 78 Drake [24] 57 Chris Brown [25] 44 Lil Wayne [26] 41 Nicki Minaj [27] 39 Rihanna [28] 33 Future [29] 29 Usher [30] 28 Kanye West [31] 27 The Weeknd [32] 26 Ludacris [33]

## See also

- [Dance/Mix Show Airplay](/source/Dance%2FMix_Show_Airplay)

- [Mainstream Top 40](/source/Mainstream_Top_40)

- [List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Rhythmic chart](/source/List_of_artists_who_reached_number_one_on_the_U.S._Rhythmic_chart)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Freeman, Kim (February 28, 1987). *Hot 30 Crossover Chart Tracks New Breed Of Radio*. Billboard magazine. pp. 1, 83.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Rhythmic Airplay Songs"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40/2026-05-30). *Billboard*. May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["*Billboard* Charts Legend"](http://www.billboard.com/biz/billboard-charts-legend). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved February 15, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Drake Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/drake/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 8 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Rihanna Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/rihanna/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 25 June 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["The Weeknd Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-weeknd/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 9 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Chris Brown Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/chris-brown/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 11 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Bruno Mars Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/bruno-mars/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 13 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Rhythmic_2016_09_17_9-0)** ["Drake & Rihanna Rule Rhythmic Songs Chart With 'Too Good'"](https://www.billboard.com/pro/drake-rihanna-rhythmic-songs-chart-too-good/). *Billboard*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Lil Wayne Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/lil-wayne/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 30 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Beyoncé_Chart_History_11-0)** ["Beyoncé Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/beyonce/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 17 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Nicki Minaj Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Nicki-Minaj/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 13 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Doja Cat Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Doja-Cat/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 19 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Drake Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/drake/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 14 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Chris Brown Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/chris-brown/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 28 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Lil Wayne Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/lil-wayne/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 14 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Nicki Minaj Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/nicki-minaj/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Kanye West Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Future Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Future/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Jay-Z Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/jay-z/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Rihanna Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/rihanna/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Pitbull Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/pitbull/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 3 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Snoop Dogg Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/snoop-dogg/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Drake Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/drake/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 8 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Chris Brown Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/chris-brown/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 11 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Lil Wayne Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/lil-wayne/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Nicki Minaj Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/nicki-minaj/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Rihanna Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/rihanna/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Future Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Future/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Usher Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/usher/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Kanye West Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["The Weeknd Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-weeknd/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 24 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Ludacris Rhythmic Songs Chart History"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/ludacris/chart-history/tfc/). *billboard.com*. Billboard Music. Retrieved 22 April 2021.

## External links

- [Current *Billboard* Rhythmic Songs chart](https://www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40) (updated weekly)

v t e Billboard Rhythmic chart List of number ones 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Artist lists List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Rhythmic chart

v t e Billboard charts United States All-genre charts Songs Billboard Hot 100 Radio Songs Digital Song Sales Streaming Songs Bubbling Under Hot 100 Albums Billboard 200 Top Album Sales Top Streaming Albums Catalog Albums Independent Albums Artists Artist 100 Emerging Artists Pop Pop Airplay Adult Contemporary Adult Pop Airplay Country Top Country Albums Hot Country Songs Country Airplay Rock & Alternative Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Mainstream Rock Alternative Airplay Adult Alternative Airplay R&B/Hip-Hop Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Hot Rap Songs Hot R&B Songs Adult R&B Songs Rhythmic Latin Top Latin Albums Hot Latin Songs Latin Airplay Latin Pop Albums Latin Pop Airplay Latin Rhythm Albums Latin Rhythm Airplay Regional Mexican Albums Regional Mexican Airplay Tropical Albums Tropical Airplay Dance Top Dance Albums Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Hot Dance/Pop Songs Dance Airplay Christian/Gospel Top Christian Albums Hot Christian Songs Christian Airplay Top Gospel Albums Hot Gospel Songs Other charts Afrobeats Songs Americana/Folk Albums Christmas/Holiday charts Comedy Albums Kid Albums Smooth Jazz Airplay World Digital Song Sales Multinational Billboard Global 200 Global Excl. US Other countries (Hits of the World) Argentina Hot 100 Brazil Hot 100 Artistas 25 Canada Albums Hot 100 Croatia Songs Hong Kong Songs India Songs Japan Hot 100 Hot Albums Download Korea Hot 100 Malaysia Songs Mexico Songs Philippines Hot 100 Romania Songs Vietnam Hot 100 Defunct charts United States Comprehensive Albums Dance Club Songs Dance Singles Sales Heatseekers charts Hot Crossover 30 Hot Ringtones Hot Singles Sales Pop 100 TikTok Billboard Top 50 Top 40 Tracks Twitter Real-Time Multinational Europe Top 100 Albums Hot 100 Singles Dance Radio Social 50 Other countries Brazil Songs China Top 100 Radio Top 10 Airplay/FL Greek Aiprlay Indonesia Top 100 South Korea K-pop Hot 100 Songs Mexico Airplay Español Inglés Philippines Songs Türkiye Top 20 Related articles Year-End Top Artist number-one singles and albums Decade-End Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones K-pop on the Billboard charts Albums Songs Japan Hot 100 World Digital Song Sales Year-end Boxscore number ones

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rhythmic Airplay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythmic_Airplay) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythmic_Airplay?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.