NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 21: SUGA of the K-pop boy band BTS visit the “Today” Show at … [+]
Earlier this month, Blackpink member Lisa officially launched her solo career (without leaving the band that made her a star) by dropping a two-tune collection called Lalisa. The set’s title track and lead single may be the major focus, but on one Billboard chart, the B-side is the one that performs best, and the success of that cut helps the superstar singer and rapper make history.
Lisa’s “Money,” released as the B-side to “Lalisa,” debuts at No. 1 on this week’s Rap Digital Song Sales chart, Billboard’ ranking of the rap-only tunes that actually sold the most copies in the U.S. in the previous tracking frame (as opposed to the more-closely-watched Hot Rap Songs, which also incorporates radio play and streams). By opening in first place, Lisa becomes the first solo female Korean musician (she’s actually from Thailand, but her career started in South Korea) to reach the top spot, but when that club is expanded to include all genders, things change slightly.
The Blackpink powerhouse is now the third solo musician hailing from South Korea to hit No. 1 on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart, and she’s in truly incredible company.
The first musician working on their own to send a single to the summit of the Rap Digital Song Sales chart was Psy, whose inescapable smash “Gangnam Style” ran the show way back in 2012. The hit was also the first top 10 by an artist from that part of the world, at least on that Billboard ranking.
Last year, Psy was joined in this historic feat by Agust D, better known as Suga, of the band BTS. When releasing music on his own, Suga uses the alias Agust D, and that’s the name he hit No. 1 with. The singer and rapper’s “Daechwita” debuted in first place as his latest mixtape D-2 arrived. As he conquered the tally, at least seven tunes from the full-length appeared on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart, proving his incredible popularity.
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