Aaliyah’s Posthumous Single Earns The Singer Her First New Radio Hit In A Decade

Nearly a quarter-century after her passing, Aaliyah is back on the Billboard charts. The late superstar returns with a new posthumous single, a collaboration with fellow R&B artist Tank. Her vocals – and not artificial intelligence – were used for the tune “Gone,” and it’s clear that programmers across the U.S. have rallied behind the track, collectively turning the newly-released cut into a radio hit on multiple tallies this frame.

Aaliyah’s “Gone” Debuts on Multiple Airplay Charts

“Gone” opens on a pair of Billboard rankings this week. It launches highest on the Adult R&B Airplay chart, where it debuts at No. 20. While it narrowly misses the top 40 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay tally, it only barely does so, instead starting off at No. 43.

During her lifetime and in the years since, Aaliyah has now collected 14 hits on the Adult R&B Airplay chart. With this latest tune, she ups her count on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay tally to 23 songs.

Tank, meanwhile, has now amassed 25 entries on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay list and two more on the Adult R&B-only roster.

Aaliyah’s First New Radio Hit in Over a Decade

It’s been well over a decade since Aaliyah last scored a hit on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay tally, which is considered the most competitive radio ranking in those genres. She last appeared on the list with a new track in 2012, when Drake joined her on “Enough Said.” That cut went on to spend 10 weeks on the tally, but only climbed as high as No. 48.

Aaliyah’s Success with The Weeknd

While it’s been years since Aaliyah reached the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay list, she more recently found success on the Adult R&B Airplay chart. Interestingly, it wasn’t with the Drake tune. The Weeknd was co-billed as a lead act on “Poison,” which arrived on the radio ranking in early 2022 and climbed to No. 21. That track was expected to serve as the lead single from Aaliyah’s still-forthcoming posthumous album, but little has been heard about the project since.