Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Sam Smith and Kim Petras became the first openly non-binary solo artist and first openly transgender solo artist, respectively, to ascend to No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 song chart.

 at No. 3 on Oct. 8 and spent two weeks at No. 2 before 

 Steve Lacy's "Bad Habit" on Monday. The song earned both artists their 

 on the Hot 100, with Smith's "Stay with Me" reaching No. 2 in 2014. 

"I just really don't want to be the last," Petras told 

 last week about her then-No. 2 spot on the Hot 100 chart. "There's always been incredible and talented trans artists."

, who helped usher in a new era of electronic pop music, and others such as Amanda Lear and Ayesha Erotica who she looked up to.  

"That same story just keeps repeating over and over for trans girls who have been making exceptional music and have been pushed under the rug while someone else takes credit from them," she said. "I'm just happy that Sam gave me the chance to shine here. I hope I can help break the cycle — it feels like people are finally ready for us to succeed, and that fills me with a lot of joy."

 with Camila Cabello, Charli XCX, and Rita Ora.

 on the Hot 100 chart, including "Too Good at Goodbyes," "I'm Not the Only One," and "Dancing with a Stranger" with Normani.

Songs on the Billboard's Hot 100 chart are 

 based on a mixture of data including streaming, sales, and radio airplay.  

Arts and Culture

Music

Ashley Ahn

Author

"Unholy" earned both artists their first No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100, making them the first openly non-binary solo artist and first openly transgender solo artist to hit the top of the chart.

Sam Smith and Kim Petras make LGBTQ history on Billboard's Hot 100 chart

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox