Nicki Minaj Becomes First Solo Female Rapper to Debut Atop Billboard Hot 100 Since Ms. Lauryn Hill

Nicki Minaj’s new song “Super Freaky Girl” has debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 after being streamed 21.1 million times, garnering 4.6 million radio airplay audience impressions, and selling 89,000 digital downloads in its first week, according to Luminate. And, as Billboard notes, “Super Freaky Girl” is the first hip-hop song by a female artist (without accompaniment) since Ms. Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998.

Only a handful of female rappers—including Megan Thee Stallion, Iggy Azalea, and Cardi B—have topped the Billboard Hot 100 since Ms. Lauryn Hill. Cardi B leads the group with five total No. 1 singles. Two of her chart-topping songs—“Bodak Yellow” and “Up”—were unaccompanied, but they did not debut atop the chart. The rapper’s three other chart-toppers—“I Like It,” “Girls Like You,” and ”WAP”—were collaborations.

“Super Freaky Girl” is Nicki Minaj’s third No. 1 single following “Say So” (with Doja Cat) and “Trollz” (with 6ix9ine). The new song is co-produced by Aaron Joseph, Dr. Luke, Malibu Babie, and Vaughn Oliver. Dr. Luke, who remains in a legal battle with Kesha, also produced “Say So.”