Rapper B.o.B leads chart, Glee crew ubiquitous

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Atlanta rapper B.o.B moved into the No. 1 slot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart Thursday with his debut single “Nothin’ On You,” featuring Bruno Mars.

The rapper, whose real name is Bobby Simmons, is the fourth male vocalist since October to reach No. 1 with his first entry, following Jay Sean, Jason Derulo and Taio Cruz.

He also scored the chart’s Hot Shot Debut as “Airplanes,” featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore, landed at No. 12. That track and the just released “Bet I” — which should hit the Hot 100 next week — were digitally released in advance of his debut album, ‘B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray’, which reaches retail on April 27.

“Not Myself Tonight,” Christina Aguilera’s first single from her upcoming ‘Bionic’ album (due June 8), entered the Hot 100 at No. 23 to become the singer’s third-highest Hot 100 debut. Only “Keep Gettin’ Better” (No. 7, 2008) and “Ain’t No Other Man” (No. 19, 2006) posted better starts.

Owning the next four debut slots on the Hot 100 were the latest singles from the Glee Cast, performed during the April 13 episode of the Fox series. The troupe’s covers of “Gives You Hell” (The All-American Rejects), “Hello” (Lionel Richie), “Hello Goodbye“ (The Beatles) and “Hello, I Love You” (The Doors) entered at Nos. 32, 35, 49 and 66, respectively.

Since the start of 2009, the Glee Cast has now posted more chart entries (29) than any other act, surpassing Lil Wayne’s 25 debuts during that span. And the act didn’t post its first title on the list until June of last year. Expect more Glee Cast debuts next week as titles from the episode and album ‘The Power of Madonna’ are currently selling at a brisk rate.

Elsewhere on the Hot 100, Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” slipped to No. 2 after five weeks at the top. Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister” (No. 3) and Taio Cruz’s “Break Your Heart” (No. 4) both held in place.

Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” rose one to No. 5, swapping places with “In My Head” from Jason Derulo. “Telephone” by Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce, held at No. 7. Usher’s “OMG,” featuring will.i.am, rose two to No. 8.

Ke$ha’s “Your Love Is My Drug,” the third top-10 single from her debut set ‘Animal’, soared 10 places to No. 9. Adam Lambert’s “Whataya Want from Me” jumped 13 places to No. 10 on the heels of his “American Idol” mentoring stint, which included a performance of the track.