Earlier today, Desiigner's mega-hit "Panda" officially hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, dethroning Rihanna and Drake's "Work," which held the spot for nine weeks. Desiigner's rise to the top of the charts is significant not only because it's rare for a rapper to do so nowadays, but it's even more rare for a rapper from New York City to do it. Since 2000, only six rappers from NYC have hit the top spot on the charts as a lead artist, and it hadn't been done before today since Jay Z with "Empire State of Mind" in 2009.
In total, Ja Rule, 50 Cent, Terror Squad, MIMS, Hov, and Desiigner have accomplished the feat as a New York-bred rapper. It's pretty crazy to think about, and also puts what Desiigner has done in such a short amount of time into perspective. Just a few months ago, the Brooklyn rapper was a relative unknown, and now he's a rising artist on G.O.O.D. Music that appeared on Kanye West's most recent album, The Life of Pablo. With the top spot locked down at the moment, it doesn't look like Desiigner will cede the crown anytime soon, as the video for the single isn't even out yet.
So yes, Desiigner might sound like Future and nothing like a NYC rapper, but the fact remains that he's currently doing something that a lot of rappers in the game can't say they've done. At the very least, that should be applauded. Below you can find every NYC rapper and their song that has gone No. 1 since 2000.
2002 - Ja Rule f/ Ashanti "Always on Time"
2003 - 50 Cent "In da Club" and "21 Questions"
2004 - Terror Squad "Lean Back"
2005 - 50 Cent f/ Olivia "Candy Shop"
2007 - MIMS "This Is Why I'm Hot"
2009 - Jay Z f/ Alicia Keys "Empire State of Mind"
2016 - Desiigner "Panda"
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