Nicki Minaj Joins Lil Wayne At No. 1

In just a few days, Lil Wayne’s new album Tha Carter VI will debut on the Billboard charts. The set dropped on Friday (June 6), and its first full tracking period is about to wrap. The hip-hop superstar didn’t push any proper singles from the effort before the title arrived in full, but one tune has broken out and been identified by fans as the standout cut from the full-length, thanks to an inventive remix that quickly became a bestseller.

Nicki Minaj Joins Lil Wayne on the “Banned from NO” Remix

Wayne recruited his longtime friend Nicki Minaj for a remix of the track “Banned from NO,” one of the many compositions featured on Tha Carter VI. The track may now become an official single, spurred by what appears to be a strong commercial reception.

As of this writing, the “Banned from NO” remix sits at No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart, making it the bestselling track in America on one of the most important platforms in the music industry.

Replaces Sabrina Carpenter at No. 1

“Banned from NO” replaces Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” at No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs tally. The pop singer’s latest single had been largely leading the charge since it arrived several days ago, but it now falls several spaces, making room for tracks by Alex Warren, Chappell Roan and Oliver Anthony Music.

Billboard May Credit Both Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj

“Banned from NO” will likely appear on various Billboard rankings alongside Tha Carter VI next week. Whether it will be credited to just Wayne or to both Wayne and Minaj remains to be seen.

Billboard only gives credit to featured artists on remixes when the updated version becomes the most consumed. If sales and streams of the Minaj-enhanced edition overtake Wayne’s original solo cut, then both artists will earn a new win. While the solo edition came first and holds a several-day head start, the addition of Minaj could turn the tune into a major smash for her as well.

“Sharks” Also Stands Out

Another big track from Tha Carter VI is “Sharks,” a collaboration featuring Jelly Roll and Big Sean. On Friday (June 6), when Tha Carter VI was brand new, fans focused their purchasing power on “Sharks,” sending it toward the top of the iTunes tally.

Tha Carter VI is expected to launch atop many of Billboard’s hip-hop rankings and will likely open in second place on the Billboard 200, just behind I’m the Problem by Morgan Wallen.