Dave Chappelle, although not renowned for his contributions to the music industry, this week finds his name on one of the most vital and fiercely competitive Billboard charts. The comedian graces the Hot 100 chart this frame, and no, this unexpected appearance does not mark a sudden shift towards a music career.
Chappelle debuts on the Hot 100 alongside rapper Travis Scott, who dominates the Billboard rankings this week. The dynamic duo, in collaboration with musician Yung Lean, propels their joint effort, titled “Parasail,” to No. 53 on the chart. This achievement marks Chappelle’s inaugural presence on the Hot 100 and similarly marks a momentous debut for Swedish artist Yung Lean.
“Parasail” is one of the 19 tracks from Scott’s latest full-length, Utopia, that have found spots on the Hot 100. Each track from the album’s tracklist manages to appear on the U.S. song consumption ranking this week. While Chappelle’s collaboration might be the lowest-charting of the bunch, its mere presence on the chart stands as a triumph for all parties involved.
Joining Chappelle in this musical celebration are a host of fellow artists featured on Utopia, many of whom also boast superstar status. Notable names like Drake, Future, SZA, James Blake, 21 Savage, and Beyoncé all celebrate new wins on the Hot 100 chart, courtesy of their inclusion on the album.
Utopia not only ascends to the pinnacle of the Billboard 200 but also claims supremacy on the Top Album Sales chart this week. The individual tracks on Utopia all garnered impressive streams and sales figures independently from the set, and their widespread appeal, beyond album purchases, facilitated their journey onto the Hot 100.
While Chappelle’s name may not be synonymous with music, his reputation boasts an impressive feat of its own. The comedian is a four-time Grammy winner, as he has consistently clinching victory in the Best Comedy Album category whenever he has been nominated. His consecutive wins in 2018, 2019, 2020, and more recently earlier this year, underscore his immense popularity and status in the comedy space.
He may not be known as a musician, but Chappelle did release a collaborative album titled 8:46 alongside Amir Sulaiman not long ago. The effort earned a nomination in the Best Spoken Word Album category, despite its relatively modest commercial impact, though it didn’t emerge a champion.
Read the full article here