Nicki Minaj Breaks Rap Digital Song Sales Record, Surpassing Drake

Nicki Minaj has officially made history once again, becoming the rapper with the most No. 1 hits on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart.

Nicki Minaj continues to prove why her name is permanently etched into hip hop history. With this latest milestone, the Queens rapper now stands alone atop the Rap Digital Song Sales chart, reinforcing her dominance in a space she’s helped shape for well over a decade. Digital sales have always been one of Nicki’s strongest lanes, powered by a fanbase that consistently shows up when it counts.

This achievement also adds to an already record breaking year for Minaj. Earlier, she extended her lead as the rapper with the most #1 songs in US iTunes history, now sitting at an impressive 49 chart toppers. Even in an era where streaming dominates the conversation, Nicki’s ability to mobilize fans for purchases continues to separate her from her peers.

While 2025 marked a rare moment where Nicki did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, ending a 16 year streak, moments like this highlight her long term impact and staying power. Records don’t disappear just because an artist takes a quieter year, and Nicki’s catalog remains a force across platforms.

Despite recent industry shakeups, including the reclassification of “FEFE” and the removal of her credit from the record by the RIAA, Nicki’s legacy remains untouched. With 26 No. 1s on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart and counting, Minaj continues to redefine what longevity looks like in rap, on her own terms.

Nicki Minaj now holds the record for most No. 1 hits in Rap Digital Song Sales chart history surpassing Drake ?

She has a total of 26 pic.twitter.com/RjWoixItbx

— DailyRapFacts (@DailyRapFacts) January 13, 2026

What makes this achievement stand out is how the Rap Digital Song Sales chart reflects direct fan action. These rankings are built on purchases, not passive plays. Each No. 1 spot represents listeners choosing to buy her music, track by track, year after year. In an industry that often measures success by viral moments, Nicki’s record shows sustained support rather than short term hype.

Nicki’s relationship with her audience has always been different. From the early days of her career, she cultivated a fanbase that did more than stream, they invested. That loyalty has followed her through every era of her sound, from mainstream pop rap hits to more aggressive, bar heavy releases. This is why her numbers continue to rise even when she releases selectively.

Breaking a record associated with Drake, one of the most commercially dominant artists of the modern era, further underlines the scale of her impact. These two artists have often been measured against one another in sales, chart history, and cultural reach. By surpassing him on this specific chart, Nicki once again proves that her influence in the digital sales space is unmatched among rappers.

It is also important to view this moment within the larger context of hip hop history. Few artists, in any genre, maintain chart relevance across more than a decade. Nicki has done it while navigating shifting trends, changing algorithms, and evolving fan behavior. The industry has moved from downloads to streaming to short form viral cycles, yet her presence remains steady.

Beyond the numbers, this milestone reinforces what many fans and critics have long argued: Nicki Minaj is not simply a hitmaker, she is a cultural fixture. Her records, verses, and persona continue to shape how female rappers are judged, promoted, and received. Each new chart achievement adds another chapter to a career that has already altered the landscape of rap music.

As her total of 26 No. 1s continues to grow, the conversation shifts from whether Nicki belongs among the greats to how far ahead she stands. In an industry that often moves on quickly, she continues to command attention through consistency, loyalty, and undeniable influence. This record is not just another statistic, it is proof of a legacy still being written.

Tags:

Nicki Minaj, Rap Charts, Hip Hop History, Digital Song Sales, Billboard Records, Music Industry, Female Rappers, Chart Records, Drake, Rap Legacy