(Billboard) Perhaps lost in the recent bevy of chart feats by Eminem, who this week becomes the first lead artist to land four concurrent top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 since the Beatles in 1964, is that Rihanna tallies her 25th top 10, matching the sum totaled by Elvis Presley.
Thus, “The Monster” (billed as by Eminem featuring Rihanna) is proving aptly titled, as its debut at No 3 has surfaced narratives between Eminem and the Beatles and Rihanna and the King of Rock and Roll.
Upon the collaboration’s bow, here’s an updated look at the acts with the most Hot 100 top 10s: 38, Madonna; 34, the Beatles; 28, Michael Jackson; 28, Stevie Wonder; 27, Mariah Carey; 27, Janet Jackson; 27, Elton John; 25, Elvis Presley; 25, Rihanna; 23, Whitney Houston; 23, the Rolling Stones.
Of course, the usual caveat when it comes to Presley’s history: his career predates the Hot 100 by two years. Prior to the chart’s Aug 4, 1958 start, he tallied 12 top 10s on Hot 100 predecessor pop charts, so his total would be considerably higher had the list existed upon his landmark arrival.
Not only does Rihanna logs her milestone 25th Hot 100 top 10, but she also earns the honour the fastest among women, besting Madonna. “The Monster” ranks in the top tier just eight years and four months after her first such hit, “Pon De Replay,” in 2005. That just tops the eight-year, seven-month span for Madonna from her first week in the top 10 with “Borderline” (June 16, 1984) and her 25th, the No 7-peaking “Deeper and Deeper,” which reached the region the week of Jan 16, 1993.
Rihanna tallies her 25th top 10 the second most quickly among all acts. The Beatles needed just four years and two months between 1964’s “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – one of the titles that gave the Fab Four a record six songs in the top twenty simultaneously that year – and 1968’s “Lady Madonna” (just to tie together the Beatles and Madonna a little more).
“The Monster” is additionally Rihanna’s 45th Hot 100 entry, tying her with the output of her Island Def Jam labelmate Carey. Here’s an updated look at the women with the most Hot 100 visits: 73, Aretha Franklin; 59, Taylor Swift; 56, Madonna; 56, Dionne Warwick; 53, Connie Francis; 48, Brenda Lee; 48, Nicki Minaj; 45, Mariah Carey; 45, Rihanna; 42, Miley Cyrus; 41, Barbra Streisand; 40, Mary J. Blige; 40, Diana Ross.
As for another achievement for Eminem, who’s set to bow atop next week’s Billboard 200 with ‘The Marshall Mathers LP 2’, “The Monster” marks his 17th Hot 100 top 10. Among rappers, only Jay Z (20), Lil Wayne and Ludacris (18 each) boast more. Diddy and T-Pain follow with 15 top 10s apiece.
