The Billboard charts are usually electric with new releases and rising hits, but the July 4 holiday weekend brought a brief pause. Still, a few artists and unexpected titles are making massive waves. Drake, Toby Keith, and the soundtrack to Netflix’s animated sensation KPop Demon Hunters are leading the charge, each claiming major wins in different corners of the music world.
A Quiet Week with a Loud Impact
Although few new releases dropped over the holiday, several albums are still making headlines. Drake surged back into the spotlight with his new single “What Did I Miss?”, while KPop Demon Hunters, the animated film that debuted on Netflix, saw its soundtrack skyrocket on the charts. Meanwhile, the late country icon Toby Keith made a powerful posthumous return to the top 10 thanks to increased streaming of 35 Biggest Hits, fueled by patriotic listening over Independence Day.
Top Albums: Streaming Keeps the Charts Alive
The July 4 weekend left a vacuum on the Billboard 200, with just one notable debut: Kesha’s new project . (yes, that’s the full title), which enters modestly at No. 17. Most recent entries saw sharp drops — Lorde’s Virgin, KATSEYE’s Beautiful Chaos EP, and Russ’ W!LD all fell hard, with W!LD dropping off the chart entirely. Surprisingly, classics like Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours performed better than many newer titles.
In that quiet space, Toby Keith surged back into relevance. His 35 Biggest Hits re-entered the top 10, thanks largely to the popularity of his 9/11 anthem “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” which also jumped back onto the Hot 100 at No. 31. Bruce Springsteen’s Greatest Hits also benefited from July 4 nostalgia, reappearing at No. 107, likely thanks to “Born in the U.S.A.”
The Streaming Titans: Wallen and Demon Hunters
Some albums, however, seem immune to seasonal slumps. Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem holds strong at No. 1 for an eighth week, carried by consistently high streaming. But perhaps the biggest surprise is KPop Demon Hunters, whose soundtrack jumps from No. 3 to No. 2 this week. The project, once considered a niche hit, has turned into a cultural phenomenon.
The rise of KPop Demon Hunters is being driven by explosive streaming numbers — up 24% even during a holiday slowdown. It becomes just the fourth soundtrack this decade to hit the top two, joining Wicked, Barbie, and Encanto. Its current streaming week is the best for a soundtrack since Encanto’s peak in 2022.
And there’s more to come: The soundtrack’s physical CD will release in August, with a vinyl edition set for October. With radio picking up catchy tracks like “Golden”, its chart success may only just be beginning.
Bieber Incoming: A Challenge Ahead?
The dominance of KPop Demon Hunters and Wallen’s album may face a test next week with the surprise release of Justin Bieber’s SWAG, which dropped last Friday. Still, even with Bieber in the mix, both albums seem primed to remain top contenders.
Top Songs: Drake and HUNTR/X Shake Up the Hot 100
Over on the Hot 100 singles chart, Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” continues its radio-fueled run at No. 1 for a sixth nonconsecutive week. But this week’s real excitement comes from the entries just behind.
Drake’s “What Did I Miss?”, the debut single from his upcoming album ICEMAN, blasts onto the chart at No. 2. The introspective track tackles the fallout from his public feud with Kendrick Lamar, and it helps Drake extend his record for most top 10 hits in Billboard history — now at a staggering 81.
The second standout entry is “Golden,” performed by fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters. Featuring real-life artists EJAE, REI AMI, and Audrey Nuna, the track climbs from No. 23 to No. 6, propelled almost entirely by streaming. The group’s rivals in the film, Saja Boys, also show up strong with “Your Idol” jumping to No. 16. In total, eight songs from the soundtrack land on the Hot 100 this week — an impressive feat for a fictional universe.
Meanwhile, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” continues its legendary run with a 99th week on the Hot 100 and its 69th week in the top 10. With major new competition rising, Swims’ run could be nearing a graceful end.
Worth Noting: Fictional Acts That Made Real Chart History
The success of HUNTR/X reignites interest in fictional artists who’ve made waves on the Billboard charts. Past standouts include:
The Chipmunks – “The Chipmunk Song” (No. 1 in 1958)
The Archies – “Sugar Sugar” (No. 1 in 1969)
The Partridge Family – “I Think I Love You” (No. 1 in 1970)
The Heights – “How Do You Talk to an Angel” (No. 1 in 1992)
And while fans might wonder about MC Skat Kat from Paula Abdul’s “Opposites Attract,” he technically didn’t chart solo — the song is credited to Abdul featuring The Wild Pair, a real-life duo.
Should HUNTR/X reach No. 1 in the weeks ahead, they’ll join a fascinating and elite list of fictional acts that managed to dominate the real-world charts, proving once again that in pop culture, imagination and artistry are a powerful combination.
Final Note
Despite a sluggish release week, the charts remain dynamic and full of surprises. With Drake, Toby Keith, and KPop Demon Hunters dominate the charts this week, the music world shows that legacy acts, bold newcomers, and even fictional groups can all make history—especially when the fans show up.
