Oliver Anthony’s debut single, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” has taken the music industry by storm, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This achievement makes Anthony the first artist ever to reach this position with no prior chart history in any form. The song, which gained popularity through viral sharing and a captivating music video, garnered 17.5 million streams and sold 147,000 downloads in its first week.
Notably, “Rich Men North of Richmond” faced a unique situation regarding its chart calculation. The song’s YouTube streams were not included in the calculation because the video was uploaded to Anthony’s manager’s account, which primarily promotes local artists. However, the song’s high number of digital downloads compensated for this exclusion, leading to its impressive chart performance.
With lyrics touching on topics like high taxes and welfare, the song faced both praise and criticism from different political perspectives. Some hailed Anthony as an “industry plant,” while others connected with the authenticity of his music and the emotions it conveyed. In response to the viral success, Anthony shared a statement on Facebook, expressing his reluctance to rush into a record deal and his desire to stay true to his musical roots.
In addition to Anthony’s success, the Billboard Hot 100 chart also showcases country music’s resurgence. Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” follows Anthony at No. 2, and Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” takes the No. 3 spot. This marks the second time in 2023 that the top three slots on the chart have been dominated by country hits, a feat not seen since 1981.
On the albums chart, Travis Scott’s “Utopia” continues its reign for the third consecutive week. The album experienced a significant spike in sales, driven by promotional discounts on its vinyl release. Vinyl sales accounted for a substantial portion of the album’s total sales, making it the biggest week for any hip-hop or rap album on vinyl since Luminate began tracking sales.
Karol G also made waves on the albums chart with her release, “Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season).” The album debuted at No.3 and serves as a follow-up to her previous No. 1 album, “Mañana Será Bonito.” This accomplishment solidifies Karol G as a rising star in the Latin music scene.
Taylor Swift also maintains a strong presence in the top 10, with her re-recorded album “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” at No. 5, “Midnights” at No. 6, and “Lover” at No. 7. Peso Pluma’s “Génesis” and Morgan Wallen’s “Dangerous: The Double Album” round out the top 10.
Overall, Oliver Anthony’s unprecedented debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart serves as a testament to the power of viral sharing and the emotional connection that music can create. As the music industry continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to see how new artists like Anthony shape the future of popular music.