INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 18: Lisa of BLACKPINK is seen upon departing at Incheon … [+]
On the current edition of the Rap Digital Song Sales chart, Billboard’s weekly ranking of the individual rap songs that actually sold the most copies in the past tracking frame (as opposed to other lists, which incorporate streams and radio play), a international performer lands her debut leader by starting one of her first tracks atop the tally. By appearing on the ranking at all, in any position, she makes history as one of a very, very small number of women from her part of the world to make it to the tally in any manner.
Lisa’s “Money” debuts at No. 1 on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart, making the superstar singer and rapper the first woman who primarily works in the K-pop field to top the tally. The performer, who is best known as one of the four members of the South Korean band Blackpink, joins Psy and BTS singer Suga as the only acts from South Korea (Lisa was born and raised in Thailand, but her professional career began in South Korea) to hit No. 1.
Looking at the history of the Rap Digital Song Sales chart, just one other solo female from the K-pop space appears to have reached the ranking in any regard, and it’s been quite a while since that happened. CL, who herself got her start as a member of the girl group 2NE1 before breaking out and forging her own path, stands with Lisa in this impressive feat. Five years ago, CL’s solo single “Lifted” broke onto the roster and rose as high as No. 31. At the time, she was the first female musician from the K-pop industry to chart.
While CL’s success was certainly groundbreaking, it might not have happened in today’s world. Several years ago, Billboard shortened the Rap Digital Song Sales chart to just 15 spaces, meaning if her single was released today and performed similarly, it’s likely that the tune wouldn’t quite reach the list.
“Money” was released as one of two songs featured on Lisa’s debut solo project Lalisa, and both tunes were received warmly in the U.S. As “Money” launches with 6,900 copies sold, according to numbers shared by MRC Data, lead single “Lalisa” arrives atop the World Digital Song Sales ranking, and it also appears on the Hot 100. Both “Lalisa” and “Money” open inside the top 10 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales roster.
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