Chris Brown Scores Dual Dominance on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay as “It Depends” Rises to No. 1 and “Residuals” Rebounds to No. 2

Chris Brown adds another milestone to an already extensive chart legacy, claiming the top two positions on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart dated Nov. 8. His latest single, “It Depends,” featuring Bryson Tiller, ascends from No. 2 to No. 1, while his long-running former chart leader “Residuals” rebounds from No. 3 to the runner-up slot. The achievement marks Brown’s third career instance of occupying the top two spots simultaneously and his first time doing so in a decade.

“It Depends” completes its move to the summit with a surge in audience impressions across adult R&B and mainstream R&B/hip-hop radio stations, the two formats that together determine the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay ranking. According to Luminate, the single registered 22.4 million audience impressions in the United States for the tracking week of Oct. 24–30, climbing 15 percent from the prior week’s total of 19.4 million. The nearly three-million-listener jump grants the track the Greatest Gainer award, which Billboard awards weekly to the song with the largest increase in audience.

The new No. 1 gives Brown his latest radio triumph and further demonstrates the enduring demand for his music across R&B and hip-hop audiences. “It Depends,” boosted by Bryson Tiller’s feature, has been gaining consistent traction since its debut on the chart. Its lift to the summit reflects strong rotation across both adult R&B stations, where Brown has long maintained popularity, and mainstream R&B/hip-hop outlets, where his collaborations often thrive. The track’s steady growth mirrors a broader trend in Brown’s career: his ability to adapt stylistically while maintaining a reliable presence across multiple radio formats.

Meanwhile, Brown’s “Residuals” continues to display remarkable longevity. The song, which first ascended to No. 1 earlier this year and ruled for nine weeks between February and August, jumps from No. 3 to No. 2 in its 65th week on the chart. During the latest tracking frame, “Residuals” logged 20 million audience impressions, up 6 percent from the previous week. Its renewed momentum underscores the rare durability of a track able to maintain relevance for more than a year, despite the fast-moving nature of contemporary urban radio.

The double occupancy at Nos. 1 and 2 reinforces Brown’s status as one of the most consistent performers in R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay history. Prior to this week’s chart, he had achieved the feat twice: first in 2008 with “With You” and “Kiss Kiss,” and again in 2014 with “Loyal” and “New Flame.” This new pairing with “It Depends” and “Residuals” marks his first double play of the 2020s and arrives during a phase of career maturity that sees Brown not only maintaining a presence on radio but doing so with multiple tracks simultaneously.

The ascent of “It Depends” also highlights Bryson Tiller’s ongoing influence in contemporary R&B. The singer, who broke through with his 2015 debut album T R A P S O U L, has continued to serve as a sought-after collaborator and has regularly appeared on Billboard’s R&B and hip-hop charts. His contribution to “It Depends” adds a complementary vocal texture that has resonated with both programmers and listeners, giving the track a broader appeal.

From a broader industry perspective, Brown’s dual-chart dominance arrives at a moment when R&B and hip-hop continue to compete for radio prioritization amid shifting listener habits. Streaming remains the most dominant consumption format, yet radio airplay remains a critical indicator of cross-demographic reach. For an artist to command the top two slots in the same week requires not only strong listener demand but also coordinated support from programmers across multiple markets.

In recent years, airplay success has been increasingly difficult to sustain due to rapid release cycles and high competition among artists. That “Residuals” has remained on the chart for more than 60 weeks while still climbing showcases a rare consistency. Many songs experience steep declines after their first few months of rotation; by contrast, “Residuals” has demonstrated lasting power driven by recurrent airplay and steady audience engagement.

For Brown, the news of dual chart positioning comes as part of a year marked by continued visibility, from new music releases to high-profile collaborations and performances. His ability to drive multiple tracks simultaneously into the top tier of the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart further cements his status as a mainstay in the genre and emphasizes the continued relevance of his catalogue. With two singles in the top two positions, Brown’s presence is nearly unmatched in current R&B radio programming.

As “It Depends” celebrates its new reign and “Residuals” maintains an exceptional resurgence, Brown adds another remarkable chapter to his chart history. With ongoing radio strength, continued fan engagement, and a catalogue that remains in active rotation, Brown’s latest accomplishment underscores his continued impact on the R&B/Hip-Hop landscape and points to further milestones ahead.