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Drake sets Billboard record with 'Laugh Now Cry Later,' besting Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder
NEW YORK — Earning his 21st No. 1 hit on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, Drake has bested a record previously held by icons Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder.
Drake's "Laugh Now Cry Later," featuring rapper Lil Durk, reached the No. 1 spot on the chart this week. Wonder and Franklin, who died in 2018, each have had 20 songs top the chart.
Of Drake's 21 No. 1 hits on the R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, 12 include him in the leading role, including "God's Plan," "In My Feelings," "Hotline Bling," "Hold On, We're Going Home" and "Best I Ever Had," his first major hit released in 2009. Nine of his No. 1 successes are songs he co-starred on, including "Work" with Rihanna, "Moment 4 Life" with Nicki Minaj, "Fall for Your Type" with Jamie Foxx and "I Invented Sex" with Trey Songz.
Earlier this year, 34-year-old Drake made Billboard chart history when he set a new record for most songs on the Hot 100 chart — Billboard's main songs chart that includes all music genres.
At the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, Drake broke Taylor Swift's record for most wins. He won 12 awards at the show in Las Vegas, making his career total 27 (Swift has 23 wins).
Drake turned up the love for his mom with his heartfelt speech when he picked up top artist, besting Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Post Malone and Travis Scott.
He looked up to the ceiling as he held the trophy, then said: "I just want to thank my mom for her relentless effort in my life.
"I want to thank my mom for all the times you drove me to piano. All the times you drove me to basketball and hockey — that clearly didn't work out. All the times you drove me to 'Degrassi.' No matter how long it took me to figure out what I wanted to do, you were always there to give me a ride, and now we're on one hell of ride," Drake said.