Hype is a wonderful thing. ‘Lil Wayne Smashes Elvis Presley’s Record for Most Billboard Hot 100 Hits’, the Republic Records press release headline reads. What a load of crap.
Elvis Presley
Lil Wayne’s label is claiming that the rapper has now beaten the King by 109 to 108 singles on the Billboard chart but really the statement is as silly as it sounds.
For starters, Wayne’s 109 titles include songs by other artists that he just featured on. The one that puts him to the top is ‘Celebration’, a single by The Game featuring Lil Wayne. Elvis didn’t phone in vocals to other acts like Wayne does.
You also have to consider the different eras. Lil Wayne releases in the digital era so technically every song is a single. Elvis Presley released in the physical era so his singles were only the ones physically manufactured, shipped and then sold in stores.
Also consider the ease of delivery to the consumer for Elvis vs Lil Wayne fans. Elvis fans had to actually go to a store and buy the record after it was decided what would be released and then shipped. Lil Wayne fans can access any song, anywhere, anytime digitally.
Had Elvis or The Beatles or The Rolling Stones (and pretty much any act before iTunes came along) had access to the same technology back in the day do you really think Lil Wayne would be the most successful singles act of all-time? No-way. Lets get real here; the Lil Wayne comparisons should only be made with acts from his same era.
Congrats to Republic Records. You have officially delivered to dumbest press release of the year.
