OMI’s “Cheerleader” crowns the Billboard Hot 100, rising 2-1. The buoyant reggae/pop song replaces Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again,” featuring Charlie Puth, after 12 weeks, leaving the latter song tied for the longest run at No. 1 ever for a rap single.
“Cheerleader” joins the elite club of reggae hits that have crossed over to the Hot 100’s top spot. Notable others:
Johnny Nash, “I Can See Clearly Now” (No. 1, four weeks, 1972)
Eric Clapton, “I Shot the Sheriff” (one week, 1974) (written by Bob Marley)
Two by UB40: “Red Red Wine” (one week, 1988) and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (seven weeks, 1993)
Ini Kamoze,” Here Comes the Hotstepper,” (two weeks, 1994)
Two by Shaggy: “It Wasn’t Me” (two weeks) and “Angel” (one week), both in 2001
Sean Paul, “Get Busy” (three weeks, 2003)
Sean Kingston, “Beautiful Girls” (four weeks, 2007)
And, MAGIC!, “Rude” (six weeks, 2014) … making it back-to-back summers that a reggae hit has splashed its way to the top of the Hot 100
Via Billboard
