Drake blocks Billboard No.1 with two songs

Drake spent July 9 occupying the top two positions on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart, according to a Forbes chart report published that day. Forbes said “Janice STFU” remained at No. 1 while “2 Hard 4 the Radio” held at No. 2, leaving Drake in the unusual position of blocking his own next radio chart-topper. (forbes.com) The songs are part of a broader 2026 run that has kept Drake near the top of multiple Billboard rankings. Separately, Hot 96.9 Boston reported this week that Drake won about $30 million during a Stake livestream session. (billboard.com) ### How did Drake end up blocking himself? Forbes reported on July 9 that Drake’s “Janice STFU” was still leading Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart, with “2 Hard 4 the Radio” one place behind it at No. 2. That meant the only song preventing “2 Hard 4 the Radio” from becoming a new No. 1 was another Drake single. Billboard has separately documented the strength of both records in 2026. “Janice STFU” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in late May, and Billboard later said it added a second week atop the Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts. (forbes.com) ### What exactly is the Rhythmic Airplay chart measuring? Billboard’s charts pages describe Rhythmic Airplay as one of its radio rankings within the broader chart system. Billboard also says chart data across its genre and radio tallies are provided by Luminate. (forbes.com) “2 Hard 4 the Radio” had already shown up as a radio-specific success before this week’s Forbes item. Billboard’s Canadian site reported last month that the song reached the all-format Radio Songs chart and gave Drake his 100th career entry on that ranking. (billboard.com) ### Is this part of a bigger 2026 chart run for Drake? May 27 was one of the clearest markers in that run. Forbes reported that Drake became the first artist to debut 10 songs at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 when “Janice STFU” opened atop the chart. (billboard.com) June reporting from Forbes also said “Janice STFU” was holding at No. 1 across several Billboard rap and hip-hop charts, where it kept another Drake track, “Shabang,” from rising to the top. In a separate June article, Forbes said Drake’s album “Iceman” tied as the longest-running No. 1 album of 2026 on the Billboard 200 at that point, with three weeks on top. (ca.billboard.com) ### What was the other Drake headline this week? Hot 96.9 Boston reported on July 9 that Drake scored a roughly $30 million win on the gambling platform Stake during a livestreamed session earlier in the week. (forbes.com) The station described it as a max payout after years of trying. Stake has been tied to Drake in earlier coverage as well. Hot 96.9 reported in October 2025 on a lawsuit involving Drake and streamer Adin Ross over alleged illegal gambling promotion connected to Stake, though that report concerned separate allegations and not this week’s livestream. (forbes.com) ### Where can readers watch the next chart move? Billboard publishes its current chart rankings on its charts pages, including radio and genre tallies. Forbes’ July 9 report framed the immediate next question simply: whether “2 Hard 4 the Radio” can overtake “Janice STFU,” or whether Drake will continue to occupy both top spots at Rhythmic Airplay. (hot969boston.com) (billboard.com) (hot969boston.com)