Billboard charts have always been one of the main indicators of trends in the music industry. The media giant launched dozens of charts over the course of the last few decades, but their latest was introduced last week and it perfectly reflects global trends.
Billboard’s newly launched charts are called Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. The first chart takes weekly global streams and downloads from over 200 territories into account, while the second does the same, but it doesn’t include the United States.
The main point of these charts is to “[reflect] a world view” and give international acts “overdue exposure and recognition”. At this point in time, there isn’t much difference between Billboard’s flagship Hot 100 and the Global 200 chart. “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion topped them both for the first two weeks, but Billboard Global Excl. U.S. points to a different situation on a global scene.
The inaugural chart was topped by “Hawái” by Maluma, while “Dynamite” by BTS took the no. 1 spot for the second week. In addition to global hits that made it to the Hot 100, this chart mostly consists of K-pop tracks and Spanish-language hits.
