Kendrick Lamar is the star of the holiday season, as his new album GNX blasts to the top of the Billboard 200, while its lead single, “Squabble Up,” lands at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This milestone places Lamar among an elite group of artists—Taylor Swift, Drake, and The Beatles—who’ve achieved this level of chart dominance.
‘Squabble Up’ Crowned Hot 100 Champion
“Squabble Up” is Lamar’s fifth Hot 100 No. 1 and his third of 2024, making him the most successful artist on the chart this year. The track debuted with 52 million streams, 5.7 million radio impressions, and 5,000 sales in its first week, cementing its spot atop the charts.
Lamar’s other 2024 No. 1 hits include “Not Like Us,” which reigned for two weeks in May, and “Like That,” a collaboration with Future and Metro Boomin, which ruled for three weeks in April. With three No. 1 debuts in a single year, Lamar is the first solo male artist to achieve this feat, joining BTS and Ariana Grande in this exclusive club.
A Historic Chart Sweep
The GNX album’s dominance doesn’t stop at “Squabble Up.” Lamar fills the Hot 100’s top five with additional tracks:
- No. 2: “TV Off” featuring Lefty Gunplay (46.9 million streams)
- No. 3: “Luther” with SZA (44.4 million streams)
- No. 4: “Wacced Out Murals” (38 million streams)
- No. 5: “Hey Now” featuring Dody6 (31.2 million streams)
This achievement makes Lamar only the fourth artist to control the Hot 100’s top five in a single week, joining Taylor Swift, Drake, and The Beatles. Swift notably holds the record for occupying all top 10 spots, a feat she achieved in May 2024 and November 2022.
Lamar’s Record-Breaking Year
With these chart-topping tracks, Lamar now boasts 22 career top 10 hits. His success this year outpaces major names like Ariana Grande, Post Malone, and Morgan Wallen, who each earned two No. 1s in 2024.
Additionally, GNX tracks “Reincarnated” and “Man at the Garden” debuted at Nos. 8 and 9, respectively, further solidifying Lamar’s dominance.
Shifting the Holiday Soundtrack
While Lamar conquers the charts, holiday classics like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” remain seasonal staples. The track re-entered the Hot 100 top 10 this week, climbing to No. 10. Meanwhile, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” dropped to No. 6 after tying the all-time record for the longest reign at No. 1 with Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.”
A Christmas to Remember for Kendrick Lamar
As GNX continues to break records, Kendrick Lamar has firmly positioned himself as the defining artist of the 2024 holiday season. With accolades piling up and chart history in his grasp, Lamar’s reign this Christmas is one for the books.
