Rihanna releases music so infrequently that a huge debut is typically expected whenever she does give the world something new. Sadly, that’s not quite what came to pass with “Friend of Mine,” her first single in several years. The tune, taken from the upcoming Smurfs animated movie, does manage to conquer one important Billboard ranking as it arrives — and in doing so, it adds to her list of champions, which hasn’t increased in almost a decade.
“Friend of Mine” Debuts at No. 1
“Friend of Mine” launches atop the Dance Digital Song Sales chart this week, which means it is the top-selling track in America currently classified by Billboard specifically as dance.
The tune is one of seven new arrivals on the 15-spot roster, and Rihanna manages to beat out exciting drops from stars in the genre like DJ Snake, Kesha, and even Avicii, who posthumously returns with his new collaboration “Let’s Ride Away” with Elle King.
Rihanna’s First No. 1 in Almost a Decade
Rihanna scores her third No. 1 on the Dance Digital Song Sales ranking as “Friend of Mine” arrives. The tune marks her first new leader since “This Is What You Came For” with Calvin Harris, which debuted in first place in May 2016. She first ruled in June 2012 with “Where Have You Been.”
Rihanna Rarely Misses the Top 10
Throughout her career, Rihanna has collected a total of 11 placements on the Dance Digital Song Sales chart, and all but one of those have reached the top 10. She missed out on adding to her expanding roster of champions by just one space with both “We Found Love” — another collaboration with Harris — and “Who’s That Chick?” alongside David Guetta, as both tunes stalled at No. 2.
“Friend of Mine” Opens Inside the Top 10
“Friend of Mine” is a quick top 10 on a number of Billboard’s dance-only tallies. As it leads the Dance Digital Song Sales chart, it enters the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs tally at No. 3, earning Rihanna her first career placement on that list. The cut also kicks off its time on the Dance Streaming Songs tally at No. 6.
Rihanna Fails to Reach the Hot 100
Rihanna also manages to hit No. 1 on one other Billboard list, but “Friend of Mine” doesn’t enjoy quite as much of a celebration on that tally as it does on the Dance Digital Song Sales roster. The catchy cut appears in first place on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, meaning it misses landing on the Hot 100 — the main ranking of the most consumed tracks in America — by just one space. So, while it technically sits at No. 1, that’s not really a major accomplishment for her.
