Morgan Wallen Returns To A Chart Few Could Have Predicted He’d Ever Reach

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Morgan Wallen performs onstage during Morgan Wallen’s… [+]Dangerous Tour, Night 2 at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on September 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Morgan Wallen and Moneybagg Yo debut their collaboration “Whiskey Whiskey” on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart this week, earning the country singer his second hit. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

Morgan Wallen has spent much of his career as one of the hottest names in the country genre. He’s earned dozens of hits throughout the past several years, and it didn’t take long for him to rise and become a force to be reckoned with in the space.

Recently, Wallen has become so popular that his reach has extended beyond country. He’s collected a number of hits at pop radio, and he’s even managed to land on several of Billboard’s rap and hip-hop-focused rankings.

This week, Wallen earns his second career win on a Billboard tally that few would have predicted he’d ever reach just a few years ago. The placement demonstrates the country star’s immense popularity, as well as the music industry’s willingness to see musicians known for one style cross over and find success in other areas of the business as well.

Wallen and Moneybagg Yo debut their collaboration “Whiskey Whiskey” on the Rhythmic Airplay chart this week. The single now ranks among the top 40 most successful tunes at the hip-hop, R&B, and rap-focused radio format, which is aimed at a mass audience.

“Whiskey Whiskey” opens at No. 38 on this week’s Rhythmic Airplay chart. It’s just the second appearance on the tally by Wallen, who only landed on the list for the first time last year. In 2023, he and Lil Durk made their duet “Stand By Me” a top 40 win, as it rose as high as No. 35.

Wallen and Yo claim one of four debuts on the Rhythmic Airplay tally this time around. “Whiskey Whiskey” is the lowest-ranking of the bunch, though it’s just getting started. New arrivals from Tommy Richman, Megan Thee Stallion, and Ice Spice and Central Cee all start higher—though not by much.

While Wallen is fairly new to the Rhythmic Airplay ranking, his counterpart is not. Yo has placed 11 tracks on the radio chart so far. That sum includes several top 10 hits, as well as some that have lived on the roster for months at a time.

“Whiskey Whiskey” was released in June, though not as a proper single. The tune is featured on Yo’s latest album Speak Now, and it is clearly a favorite among fans of at least Wallen, if not also Yo.

Image: Morgan Wallen performs at the Crypto.com Arena

A Look At Wallen’s Success

Morgan Wallen has been one of the most successful country artists in recent years. With numerous chart-topping hits and sold-out tours, he has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. His success has also carried over into other genres, with hits on the pop and hip-hop charts.

Wallen’s ability to cross over into different genres has been impressive, and his latest collaboration with Moneybagg Yo is just another example of this. “Whiskey Whiskey” is a catchy and upbeat track that is sure to appeal to fans of both country and hip-hop.

The Rise Of Country Music

Country music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with artists like Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs leading the charge. Their success has paved the way for other country artists to break into the mainstream, and it’s clear that the genre is here to stay.

The rise of country music can be attributed to a number of factors, including the genre’s ability to evoke emotions and tell stories through lyrics. Country music often deals with themes of heartbreak, love, and everyday life, making it relatable to listeners of all ages.

Image: A crowd of fans at a country music festival

The Future Of Country Music

As country music continues to grow in popularity, it’s clear that the genre has a bright future ahead of it. With artists like Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs pushing the boundaries of what country music can be, it’s exciting to think about what’s to come.

One thing is for sure: country music is here to stay, and it’s going to be interesting to see how the genre evolves in the coming years.

Image: A country music artist performing on stage