Likewise, the current hit solidifies Saweetie’s status as a rhythmic radio favorite as “Friend” rises from No. 2 to top Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart. The track ascends after it gained 9% in plays in the week ending April 4 to become the radio format’s most-played song of the week, according to MRC Data.
“Friend” gives Saweetie her third Rhythmic No. 1, and second consecutive leader. Her previous release, “Back to the Streets,” featuring Jhene Aiko, ruled for one week in January. Before that, her first trip to No. 1 came with the 2019 hit, “My Type,” a two-week champ. In addition, the rising rapper very nearly made it four in a row – between “Type” and “Streets,” her song “Tap In” peaked at No. 2.
Plus, thanks to “Friend,” Saweetie becomes only the fifth female rapper to post three No. 1s to the Rhythmic Airplay chart’s summit, after Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, each with eight, Megan Thee Stallion (four) and Iggy Azalea (three).
With the new No. 1, Doja Cat, too, returns to familiar territory. The singer/rapper nabs her second Rhythmic Airplay chart-topper, after “Say So” led for three weeks in April – May 2020.
Beyond the new milestones, “Friend” attains a new peak on the Hot Rap Songs chart with a 10-8 bump. The chart, like Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, uses the three metrics of airplay, sales and streaming data in its calculations.
Other radio improvements, meanwhile, come on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Pop Airplay charts. On the former, “Friend” advances 15-14 as it picked up 13% growth in audience to reach 9.8 million listeners at the format in the week ending April 14. And despite the single dropping 21-23 on the latter, it posts a gain of 6% in plays on monitored pop top 40 stations in the week.
