The “Harlem Shake” sensation has spurred countless record sales, countless videos and now a number one listing on the Billboard Hot 100.
Baauer’s viral smash advances to number one on this week’s pivotal Billboard single chart, thanks in large part to a chart revamp that incorporates YouTube streams. The chart continues to rely on digital sales, terrestrial radio airplay, on-demand audio streaming and online radio streaming to determine the hottest songs in the nation.
According to Billboard, “Harlem Shake” becomes the twenty first song in history to debut atop the Hot 100 and the first from an essentially-unknown artist.
The rise of “Shake” sends Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ holdover champ “Thrift Shop” down to number two. Rihanna’s “Stay” rides post-Grammy buzz to number three, while will.i.am and Britney Spears’ “Scream and Shout” drops to four and Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” holds steady at number five.
