NEW YORK — Michael Jackson has become the first artist to achieve a new hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in six different decades, according to the chart published this week.
The late pop icon entered the chart with the song "Chicago," a track originally recorded in 1999 and released in 2014, marking his first new entry in the 2020s. Billboard confirmed the milestone on Wednesday.
Jackson, who died in 2009, previously charted new hits in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. The achievement extends a catalog resurgence fueled in part by the success of the biographical film "Michael," which has driven renewed interest in his music across streaming platforms.
"Chicago" debuted on the latest Hot 100 after gaining traction from the biopic's popularity and increased catalog streams. The film, starring Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, opened in April and has contributed to multiple Jackson tracks charting simultaneously.
The King of Pop first appeared on the Hot 100 as a solo artist in the early 1970s with songs such as "Got to Be There." He dominated the 1980s with multiple No. 1 hits from albums including "Thriller" and "Bad." Posthumous releases and reissues kept his music on the chart in subsequent decades.
Billboard data shows Jackson has amassed dozens of Hot 100 entries over his career, including 13 No. 1 singles as a solo artist. His enduring popularity has seen catalog tracks return to the chart periodically, particularly around anniversaries and cultural events.
A representative for the Jackson estate said in a statement, “Michael’s music continues to resonate with new generations around the world. This latest achievement is a testament to his timeless artistry.”
The resurgence coincides with the "Michael" biopic grossing hundreds of millions at the box office and boosting digital streams. On a recent Hot 100 chart, several Jackson classics including "Billie Jean," "Human Nature" and "Beat It" appeared together.
Details on the exact position of "Chicago" and full chart statistics for the week remain subject to Billboard's final update. No other artist has matched Jackson's span of new Hot 100 entries across six decades.
