Bruno Mars Ties Justin Timberlake for Most Pop Songs No. 1s Among Male Soloists

Bruno Mars scores his eighth No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs airplay chart, as “That’s What I Like” lifts 2-1 on the tally dated May 6.

With the ascent, Mars matches Justin Timberlake’s mark for the most No. 1s among male soloists in the 24-year history of the chart, which encompasses airplay on 167 mainstream top 40 stations, as measured by Nielsen Music.

Mars and Timberlake now share fifth place among acts with the most Pop Songs No. 1s. Katy Perry and Rihanna each boast 11, followed by Maroon 5 and P!nk, with nine apiece.

“Like” is the second single from Mars’ third LP, 24K Magic. The title cut hit No. 5 on Pop Songs in December.

Timberlake tallied his eighth Pop Songs No. 1 with “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”, which led for three weeks beginning June 18, 2016. He first reigned as a soloist with “Rock Your Body”, for four weeks in 2003. Overall, he’s made 10 trips to No. 1 on Pop Songs, having first led with *NSYNC on “Bye Bye Bye”, for 10 weeks, and “It’s Gonna Be Me”, for two, both in 2000.

Mars, meanwhile, has topped Pop Songs nine times total, including his output as a writer: he co-penned Flo Rida’s two-week 2009 No. 1 “Right Round”, before ruling as an artist. And, he’s co-produced and co-written all eight of his Pop Songs No. 1s as a performer. Timberlake has also co-written all eight of his Pop Songs leaders and, like Mars, co-authored one for another act: The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is the Love?”, a seven-week No. 1 in 2003; he’s co-produced six of his eight No. 1s.

Billboard