Michael Jackson's 'Chicago' Resurgence: A Billboard Hot 100 Milestone
Michael Jackson has achieved a remarkable milestone posthumously by having a song on the Billboard Hot 100 in every decade since the 1970s. This achievement was made possible by the resurgence of his song "Chicago," which debuted at No. 30 on the chart. With this entry, Jackson now has Hot 100 entries in six decades, excluding the hits he made as part of the Jackson 5.
"Chicago" is not a new song but was featured on Jackson's posthumous album "Xscape," released in 2014. Two other songs from the same album, "Love Never Felt So Good" featuring Justin Timberlake and "Slave to the Rhythm," had previously charted on the Hot 100. The latest entry before "Chicago" was Drake's "Don't Matter to Me," which reached the Top 10 in 2018.
Despite being over a decade old, "Chicago" made its way onto the Hot 100 due to a significant increase in on-demand streams in the U.S. The song garnered 10.7 million streams from May 22 to 28, marking a 30% growth from the previous week. The surge in popularity can be attributed to the "Michael" biopic and its traction on social media platforms like TikTok, even though it was not a featured hit in the film and was not promoted as a single.
In addition to "Chicago," other Jackson classics like "Billie Jean," "Human Nature," and "Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough" also made appearances on the latest Hot 100 chart. Jackson's legacy continues to resonate with audiences globally, as evidenced by the millions of streams his songs continue to receive.
Michael Jackson's untimely death in 2009 at the age of 50 from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol shocked the world. The drug was administered by Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Murray was released after serving two years due to good behavior and prison overcrowding. Despite his conviction, Murray maintained his innocence in 2016. Jackson's enduring impact on music and culture remains undeniable, as his songs continue to captivate audiences across generations.