In a stunning ascent to the top, Doja Cat’s latest single “Paint the Town Red” has skyrocketed to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, dethroning its previous contender. The song’s meteoric rise can be attributed to its viral popularity on the social media platform TikTok, which has ignited a surge in streaming and sales. Additionally, increased airplay has contributed to its success, further solidifying its dominance in the music industry.
This remarkable achievement marks Doja Cat’s second No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, following her smash hit “Say So,” featuring Nicki Minaj, which held the top spot for two weeks in May 2020. Furthermore, “Paint the Town Red” has also claimed the No. 1 position on the Hot Rap Songs chart, earning Doja Cat her first triumph in this category. Previously, she achieved a commendable No. 2 with the Elvis soundtrack single, “Vegas,” in October last year. As a testament to its widespread appeal, the track has swiftly ascended into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, climbing 15-5 on the comprehensive chart.
During the tracking week of August 18-24, “Paint the Town Red” garnered an impressive 21.1 million official streams in the United States, signifying a substantial 49% increase from the previous week, as reported by Luminate. This surge in streaming catapulted the track to the No. 1 position on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs chart, marking Doja Cat’s third chart-topper in this category. She previously reigned with “You Right,” featuring The Weeknd, and “Ain’t Shit,” both of which held the top spot for one week each earlier this year. Similarly, the song has dominated the sales sector, soaring 81% in digital downloads and capturing the No. 1 spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales list with 5,000 downloads during the tracking week.
The overwhelming success of “Paint the Town Red” can largely be attributed to its explosive presence on TikTok, where it has been featured in over 618,000 user-generated videos. While TikTok activity does not directly impact Billboard’s charts, it serves as a catalyst for widespread exposure and can contribute to significant gains in digital sales and streaming on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and the iTunes Store – all of which impact the Billboard charts.
Notably, “Paint the Town Red” has also made significant strides in the radio world, with increasing airplay across rhythmic, R&B/hip-hop, and pop formats. On Rhythmic Airplay, Doja Cat, hailed as the top-performing artist of 2022, sees her latest hit climb from 17-14, experiencing a remarkable 34% surge in weekly plays. On R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, the track maintains its position at No. 19 for the second consecutive week, propelled by an 18% increase in weekly plays. Additionally, it rises from 21-19 on Pop Airplay, showing a substantial 28% growth in weekly plays. Collectively, these achievements propel “Paint the Town Red” from an impressive 34-24 on the all-genre Radio Songs chart, where it has amassed a 37% weekly audience increase, reaching 22.6 million listeners compared to 16.5 million the previous week.
Doja Cat’s exceptional success with “Paint the Town Red” showcases her undeniable talent and unwavering popularity among music enthusiasts. This groundbreaking achievement firmly cements her position as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, and with her impressive track record, it’s only a matter of time before she claims the top spot once again. The ascent of “Paint the Town Red” serves as a testament to Doja Cat’s artistry, appeal, and ability to captivate audiences worldwide.
