R&B superstar Usher has scored his seventh No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, as “GLU” overtakes the top slot during the week of June 24.
It’s Usher’s third consecutive chart leader following “Don’t Waste My Time” featuring Ella Mai and “Bad Habits” in 2020.
“GLU,” co-produced by Lil Jon, Sean Garrett and The Avila Brothers, also moves from No. 2 to No. 1 at R&B radio.
Usher’s first career entry on the Adult R&B Airplay chart was in 1994, with “Can U Get With It” from his self-titled album. It peaked at No. 24.
He made two more appearances on the chart in the ’90s before achieving his first No. 1 hit a decade later with “Here I Stand.” The Dre & Vidal-produced song held the top position for seven weeks.
Usher’s seven chart-toppers on the Adult R&B Airplay chart include:
- “Here I Stand,” seven weeks at No. 1, beginning Dec. 6, 2008 (Here I Stand)
- “There Goes My Baby,” one week at No. 1, beginning July 31, 2010 (Raymond v Raymond)
- “Papers,” three weeks at No. 1, beginning Jan. 2, 2010 (Raymond v Raymond)
- “Climax,” one week at No. 1, beginning July 7, 2012 (Looking 4 Myself)
- “Don’t Waste My Time” featuring Ella Mai, two weeks at No. 1, beginning June 13, 2020 (Standalone Single)
- “Bad Habits,” one week at No. 1, beginning Dec. 5, 2020 (Standalone Single)
It is worth mentioning that Usher has scored several top 10 hits during his other album cycles, such as 8701, Confessions, and Hard II Love.
“U Got It Bad” from 8701 reached No. 4, while “Burn” from Confessions and “Missin U” from his 2016 album both reached No. 4 and No. 7, respectively.
Additionally, Usher spawned smashes with “Good Kisser,” which peaked at No. 2.
Moreover, the independent gamma label, headed by executive Larry Jackson, has achieved its first hit song thanks to the success of “GLU.” Usher recently joined the label.
Usher’s upcoming ninth studio album features “GLU” as its lead single. In an interview with Rated R&B, Garrett spoke about the inspiration behind the bedroom banger.
“I felt like the concept had to be extremely unique. It had to be said in a way that was straddling the line a bit but comes across where everyone can enjoy it. And kind of getting back to just making a woman feel good; that’s what Usher does,” said Garrett to Rated R&B in an April interview.
“He goes crazy with the vocals and it’s truly what R&B music is. We took every piece to the song and took our time to put it together properly to make sure that it felt amazing and was an elevation of what R&B has been happening for late. We wanted to make sure that this was gonna be something that everybody would love.”
Usher’s next album will be his first studio release since 2016’s Hard II Love, and his first collection of music since A, his 2018 joint project with Atlanta-based producer Zaytoven.
Usher has concert dates booked through late October, including shows part of his Las Vegas residency and his Rendez-Vous A Paris stint.
Stream Usher’s “GLU” below.
