Michael Jackson’s Career-Defining Smash Finally Reaches No. 1

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentMichael Jackson’s Career-Defining Smash Finally Reaches No. 1ByHugh McIntyre,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts.Follow AuthorMay 16, 2026, 11:45am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" rises to No. 1 for the first time on several of Billboard's streaming charts — and he occupies the top three spaces at once. VARIOUS, VARIOUS - JUNE 25: Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1983. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)WireImageFor several weeks now, Michael Jackson's music has been soaring up the Billboard charts. The posthumous surge comes after the release of his musical biopic Michael, which is already one of the highest-grossing films of the year globally. Across a variety of tallies, a number of the singer's most popular singles continue to climb to never-before-seen highs, and multiple tracks even manage to debut on some of the most competitive rosters published each week. This time around, Jackson collects a new champion on several streaming-focused tallies, and as he does, he keeps another tune in his catalog from reaching the summit, effectively blocking himself from yet another leader.Michael Jackson Sends "Billie Jean" to No. 1"Billie Jean" dances to No. 1 for the first time on both the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs and R&B Streaming Songs charts. Those lists look only at the most-played tracks on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and others throughout the United States that fit under those genre descriptors. Last time around, "Billie Jean" sat in the runner-up spot on the R&B-only tally, and at No. 3 on the more all-encompassing ranking. "I Just Might" by Bruno Mars was in charge just days ago, and now i...