Eminem’s new single “Houdini” blasted onto the Billboard charts less than a month ago, becoming a huge win for the rapper upon its arrival. The tune launched at No. 1 on a handful of tallies, and it reached the top 10 on many others.
As the magical cut begins to decline on some rosters, it also debuts on another, earning the hip-hop star his first hit on a list few could have predicted he’d ever appear on.
“Houdini” debuts on this week’s Rock & Alternative Airplay chart. The Billboard list ranks the tracks that rack up the largest number of total audience impressions across all radio stations in the U.S. that focus on rock or alternative music–or perhaps both.
Unsurprisingly, “Houdini” marks Eminem’s first hit on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart. It’s his only career placement on any of Billboard’s rock rankings–radio, streaming, sales, or any form of consumption.
Eminem has, however, appeared on one of Billboard’s alternative lists. He’s actually managed to score four hits on the Alternative Airplay chart, which looks only at the most-played and most successful tracks every week on alternative radio stations, which are slightly different from rock radio outlets. On that tally, his singles “The Real Slim Shady,” “My Name Is,” “Without Me,” and “Lose Yourself” have all placed, though he hasn’t earned a new win in decades.
“Houdini” is quickly becoming a radio hit, and not just in the hip-hop world, either. This week, the tune debuts on four of Billboard’s airplay tallies, including those that are only concerned with rap, pop, as well as the all-genre Radio Songs list.