Billboard Explains: The Hot 100 Chart

Billboard is synonymous with its charts and, above all, the Hot 100. For over 60 years, it’s been the go-to for all the popular music action, with artists from The Beatles to Mariah Carey to Lil Nas X all making their mark on the chart as well as pop culture in general.
But how do songs hit the Hot 100? And what is the chart’s continued impact on the music industry?
The latest episode of Billboard Explains breaks down the history of the Hot 100 and the factors that compose a hit sing