BTS Singer RM Returns To No. 1 On A Billboard Chart

In just a few months, the world may get to hear new music from BTS. Several of the seven singers who make up the South Korean boy band are still enlisted in the South Korean military, so the group cannot record new material as a whole just yet. The individual members who are free to pursue their music careers after completing their mandatory service – required of all men by a certain age in the country – are busy with solo ventures. This week, BTS frontman RM returns to the Billboard charts with a brand new bestselling release, and he’s not alone.

RM teamed up with fellow South Korean artist Tablo for the exciting collaboration “Stop the Rain.” The duet leans into old-school hip-hop sounds and deals with some fairly negative emotions, which may have helped endear the tune to many listeners thanks to its striking honesty.

“Stop the Rain” quickly becomes one of the top-selling tracks in America as it arrives, earning both Tablo and RM impressive placements on several tallies.

“Stop the Rain” Debuts on the Billboard Charts

“Stop the Rain” launches on four Billboard rankings this week, but only two of them are based solely in the United States. The RM/Tablo team-up opens highest on the U.S.-only rosters on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart, which ranks the bestselling rap tracks in the nation. The cut marks a first leader for Tablo, and the third as a soloist for RM.

It also manages to enter the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart at No. 4. “Stop the Rain” starts so high thanks to a little more than 3,500 copies sold, according to Luminate.

RM and Tablo’s Collaboration is a Worldwide Hit

The tune also performed well enough in its first seven-day tracking period to reach both of Billboard’s worldwide lists. It opens at No. 116 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., which blends sales and streaming activity from around much of the world — excluding American listeners.

The two South Korean stars don’t rise quite as high on the Billboard Global 200, where U.S. activity is factored in. On that list, “Stop the Rain” starts at No. 178, coming in more than 60 spaces beneath its position on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. That shows that international plays on streaming sites and purchases on download platforms were largely to thank for the title’s debut on either roster.