Jennie of Blackpink has once again proven her immense star power as her collaboration with Tame Impala, titled “Dracula,” rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. This achievement is not only a personal milestone for Jennie and Tame Impala but also a historic moment for Blackpink as a group. With this new No. 1, Blackpink becomes only the fourth group in the history of the Pop Airplay chart to have multiple members reach the top spot as solo artists. The feat places the K-pop quartet in an exclusive club alongside One Direction, Destiny’s Child, and Fifth Harmony.

Blackpink’s Historic Achievement

The Pop Airplay chart tracks radio airplay on mainstream top 40 stations across the United States. It is one of the most competitive and prestigious radio charts, and reaching No. 1 there is a sign of widespread commercial appeal. Before “Dracula,” only Rosé, another member of Blackpink, had achieved this solo milestone. She did so in February 2025 with “Apt.,” a collaboration with Bruno Mars that spent four weeks atop the chart. Now, half of Blackpink’s members have proven they can conquer pop radio without the group name attached. This is a remarkable testament to the individual brand power Jennie and Rosé have built alongside their group identity.

“Dracula” originally appeared on Tame Impala’s 2025 album of the same name. Jennie was brought in for a remix that blends her sleek, charismatic vocal style with Kevin Parker’s signature psychedelic synth-pop. The remix took off globally, topping charts in multiple countries and earning critical acclaim for its genre fusion. On the Billboard charts, the song has been a multi-format hit, reaching No. 1 on seven different lists including Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, and Rock Streaming Songs. Its peak on Pop Airplay, however, is particularly significant because it signals mainstream radio’s embrace of both artists.

The Path to Pop Airplay No. 1

Jennie’s journey to this No. 1 was not overnight. She has been carefully building her solo career since her debut solo single “Solo” in 2018. That track reached No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 but did not make a major impact on pop radio. She later released “You & Me” in 2023, which also charted but was more of a dance-pop hit. The collaboration with Tame Impala marked a strategic pivot toward a more alternative sound, and it resonated with a broader audience. Radio programmers took note of the song’s streaming success and gradually added it to playlists. Over the course of several months, “Dracula” climbed the Pop Airplay chart steadily, finally hitting the summit in the week ending July 12, 2026.

For Tame Impala, this is a long-awaited breakthrough on pop radio. Despite his immense influence in the indie and psychedelic rock scenes, Kevin Parker had never before topped the Pop Airplay chart. His closest previous effort was “The Less I Know the Better,” which peaked at No. 14 in 2015. The collaboration with Jennie thus marks a crossover success that brings Tame Impala to a new mainstream audience.

The Elite Club of Groups with Multiple Solo No. 1s

Blackpink now joins a very short list of musical groups whose members have individually topped the Pop Airplay chart. One Direction leads the pack with four out of five members achieving a solo No. 1. Niall Horan scored with “Slow Hands” (2017), Zayn with “Pillowtalk” (2016), Liam Payne with “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo (2017), and Harry Styles with four No. 1s including “As It Was,” “Watermelon Sugar,” “Adore You,” and “Late Night Talking.” Only Louis Tomlinson has not yet reached the top spot, though he has come close with “Just Hold On” and “Back to You.” The consistency of One Direction’s former members proves the group’s ability to launch sustainable solo careers, a feat that is rare in the music industry.

Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, also produced two solo No. 1 artists. Kelly Rowland hit the top in 2002 with “Dilemma,” a collaboration with Nelly, while Beyoncé has amassed seven No. 1s on Pop Airplay, from “Crazy in Love” with Jay-Z to “Perfect” with Ed Sheeran. The third member, Michelle Williams, did not achieve a solo No. 1 on Pop Airplay but carved out a successful career in gospel and R&B.

Fifth Harmony, a later girl group that disbanded in 2018, has seen two members hit No. 1. Normani scored with “Love Lies” featuring Khalid in 2018, and Camila Cabello, who left the group in 2016, has five No. 1s, including “Havana” with Young Thug and “Señorita” with Shawn Mendes. Other members like Lauren Jauregui, Dinah Jane, and Ally Brooke have yet to chart on Pop Airplay, but Cabello and Normani’s success underscores the group’s power as a launchpad.

Blackpink now joins this exclusive club with only two members so far. But given the solo potential of Lisa and Jisoo, the remaining members, it is possible that they too could eventually claim a Pop Airplay No. 1. Lisa has already had massive solo hits globally with “Lalisa” and “Money,” though they were more streamed than radio-driven. Jisoo’s “Flower” was a cultural phenomenon in Asia but had limited US radio impact. However, with the right collaborations and promotional push, they could follow Jennie and Rosé’s paths.

Impact on Blackpink’s Legacy

This chart feat strengthens Blackpink’s legacy as a group that not only dominates globally but also empowers its members to succeed individually. Unlike many K-pop groups, where solo activities are rare or tightly controlled, Blackpink’s members have been allowed to build independent careers while still maintaining the group. Jennie’s success with “Dracula” and Rosé’s with “Apt.” show that Blackpink’s brand is strong enough to support multiple solo stars. This is a rare phenomenon in K-pop, where group loyalty often overshadows individual achievements.

The timing of this achievement is also significant. Blackpink has been on a hiatus from group activities since 2025, with members focusing on solo projects. The group renewed their contract with YG Entertainment in 2023, but since then, each member has pursued distinct musical directions. Rosé has leaned into pop-rock and ballads, Lisa into hip-hop and dance, Jisoo into more traditional K-pop ballads, and Jennie into experimental collaborations. “Dracula” is a prime example of Jennie’s willingness to cross genre boundaries, and it paid off handsomely.

Beyond the charts, this No. 1 has cultural implications. It demonstrates that K-pop idols can achieve success on mainstream American radio without relying on the traditional group sound. Jennie’s collaboration with an indie rock icon like Tame Impala blurs the lines between pop, rock, and electronic music, and it may inspire other K-pop artists to seek out similar unexpected collaborations in the future.

The Broader Context of Pop Airplay

The Pop Airplay chart has been a bellwether for mainstream music trends since its inception in 1992. Acts that top this chart typically have massive crossover appeal. For Blackpink, which debuted on this chart in 2020 with “How You Like That” peaking at No. 26, the progress has been remarkable. Their first top 10 on Pop Airplay came in 2023 with “Pink Venom,” which reached No. 8. Now, two members have surpassed the group’s own peak as soloists.

“Dracula” also highlights the growing trend of K-pop and Western artists collaborating for radio success. Earlier examples include BTS’s collaborations with artists like Halsey and Steve Aoki, which performed well on pop radio. But Blackpink has taken a different approach, integrating K-pop stylistics into Western genres rather than vice versa. “Dracula” retains Tame Impala’s dreamy production while adding Jennie’s crisp vocals and a touch of Korean lyrics, creating a hybrid that appeals to both fanbases.

The song’s visual aspects also boosted its radio play. The music video, directed by a rising Korean filmmaker, went viral on TikTok and YouTube, driving listeners to request it on the radio. Radio stations responded to audience demand, a trend that has become more pronounced in the streaming era. The combination of streaming numbers, social media buzz, and radio adds created a perfect storm for “Dracula” to reach No. 1.

The Future for Blackpink and Jennie

With this historic No. 1, Jennie solidifies her position as one of the most influential K-pop soloists. She is now a two-time Pop Airplay No. 1 artist (counting her feature on “Dracula” as a lead? Actually it's her first, but she may have been featured on other hits). She is also likely to receive more collaboration offers from Western artists looking to tap into her global fanbase. Tame Impala, meanwhile, gains a new audience and may continue exploring pop crossovers.

For Blackpink as a whole, this achievement fuels anticipation for a potential group comeback. Fans speculate that the group may reunite in 2027 for a new album, and if they do, they will be armed with even greater individual star power. The group’s ability to spawn solo No. 1s increases their brand value and ensures their relevance in an ever-changing music landscape.

As of this week, “Dracula” continues to reign on seven Billboard charts, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The song’s longevity will be tested, but for now, Jennie and Tame Impala are celebrating a career-defining moment. And Blackpink, having joined the most exclusive club in pop radio history, have once again proven that they are not just a girl group – they are a powerhouse that launches legends.

Source: Forbes News