Some years, only a couple artists get to enjoy the feeling of hitting No. 1 for a handful of weeks. Sometimes it’s only one artist who does it and the rest hit the top spot for a week or two here or there. But in 2010, that number ballooned to six artists. Indeed, half a dozen performers managed to hit No. 1 for five or more weeks.
It’s a big number when you think about it. It means the charts were dominated by few artists instead of the glory getting spread out more evenly. In total, 16 artists hit No. 1 in 2010. But it was these six here below who did it five or more times.
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Rihanna (14 Weeks)
It really can’t be overstated how successful Rihanna has been over the past decade or two. The artist garnered four No. 1 singles in 2010. Three came as a solo artist and one as a featured performer on Eminem’s smash “Love the Way You Lie.” It was the first time a female artist achieved the feat in a calendar year. In 2010, she also earned her ninth No. 1 song, which made her the female artist with the fifth most No. 1 hits in history. Impressive stuff for Rihanna, who is also a billionaire businesswoman and fashion icon. Her solo hits in 2010 included “Rude Boy,” “What’s My Name,” and “Only Girl (In the World).”
Kesha (10)
Kesha was one of several artists to hit the No. 1 spot for the first time in 2010, including another on this list (Bruno Mars), will.i.am, and Drake. Kesha was able to achieve the feat just as 2010 kicked off. That’s when her single “Tik Tok” went No. 1 for nine straight weeks. Then later in the year, her single “We R Who We R” hit No. 1, giving her an even 10 weeks at No. 1 for the year.
Katy Perry (10)
Not to be outdone, pop star Katy Perry matched Kesha’s 10 weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart thanks to her songs “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Firework.” Perry was one of several artists, including Kesha, Eminem, and Bruno Mars, to garner multiple No. 1 songs in 2010. Perry even did it three consecutive times with three consecutive single drops.
Eminem (9)
As noted, the Detroit rapper Eminem garnered multiple No. 1 songs in 2010. The hitmaker and sharp-tongued rapper was known for taking aim at pop stars and family members in his songs. But he also often hit his mark when trying to land tracks on the Hot 100. He was an undeniable talent at the turn of the 21st century and well into it. And in 2010, his No. 1 hits included “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie.”
Bruno Mars (6)
Bruno Mars is one of those talents who can do it all on stage. He can dance like Michael Jackson, sing like Stevie Wonder, and wow audiences like both. And in 2010, the artist garnered two No. 1 songs, one as a solo artist and one as a featured guest. It began in May with the song “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B. That track featured Mars. But then Mars got his own No.1 in October thanks to his multiweek hit “Just the Way You Are.” Today, that song has garnered 2 billion streams on YouTube, alone.
Snoop Dogg (6)
As noted above, pop star Katy Perry enjoyed a No. 1 song for six weeks thanks to her flirtatious track “California Gurls.” That song featured the Southern California rapper Snoop Dogg, who helped narrate and rap on the track. Indeed, when in doubt, Snoop is the ultimate co-pilot. And thanks to their partnership, Snoop got another No. 1 song as “California Gurls” stayed at the top spot for six weeks. That’s pop power!
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