📰 Prince Misses His First No. 1 On One Chart — Mar. 2026
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- 2 days ago
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Writer: Hugh McIntyre / Forbes
Date: March 18, 2026
Length: 6 min read
A chart‑watch analysis exploring how “Purple Rain” once again rises to the brink of a No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Hip Hop & R&B Singles Chart — only to be held off at the final moment.
A modern‑era chart surge shows Prince’s enduring power — and the one summit he still hasn’t claimed.
More than three decades after its release, “Purple Rain” continues to find new life on the U.K. charts. In March 2026, the track climbed back to No. 2 on the Official Hip Hop & R&B Singles Chart, narrowly missing Prince’s long‑elusive first No. 1 on that tally. Despite repeated near‑misses, the song’s longevity remains extraordinary.
📰 Key Highlights
• Forbes analysis by Hugh McIntyre
• “Purple Rain” climbs to No. 2 on the Official Hip Hop & R&B Singles Chart
• Prince has never reached No. 1 on this specific chart
• Dave & Tems’ “Raindance” blocks the top spot
• Multiple Prince tracks have previously reached the Top 10
📰 Overview
The article examines Prince’s surprising absence from the No. 1 position on the U.K.’s Official Hip Hop & R&B Singles Chart — a genre‑based ranking where his music occasionally resurfaces due to its hybrid identity. Despite his dominance across pop, rock, funk, and soul, this particular chart has remained elusive.
In March 2026, “Purple Rain” surged once again, climbing to No. 2 and marking its tenth week on the tally. Its resurgence reflects both renewed streaming interest and the song’s cross‑generational appeal. Yet even with this momentum, it was unable to unseat the reigning No. 1.
The piece situates this moment within Prince’s broader chart history, noting previous peaks, alternate versions, and other tracks that have made notable appearances on the same ranking.
📰 Source Details
Publication / Venue: Forbes
Date: March 18, 2026
Format: Chart analysis / music industry commentary
Provenance Notes: Based on Official Charts Company data and Forbes editorial reporting.
📰 The Story
Hugh McIntyre’s article opens by highlighting the genre fluidity of Prince’s catalogue — a body of work that has charted across pop, rock, R&B, funk, and more. In the U.K., this versatility occasionally places Prince on the Official Hip Hop & R&B Singles Chart, where “Purple Rain” has become a recurring presence.
In its latest run, the song rises to No. 2, marking yet another near‑miss. The track is blocked by “Raindance,” a long‑running No. 1 by Dave and Tems that has dominated the chart for twenty consecutive weeks. Despite the competition, “Purple Rain” demonstrates remarkable staying power, spending nine of its ten charting weeks in the runner‑up position.
McIntyre notes that Prince has never reached No. 1 on this specific chart, though several tracks — including “Black Sweat,” “Fury,” and “When Doves Cry” — have entered the Top 10. Two others, “Eye Hate U” and “Dinner With Delores,” peaked at No. 5 under Prince’s alternate monikers (the Love Symbol and T.A.F.K.A.P.).
The article concludes by placing “Purple Rain” within the broader U.K. chart ecosystem, where it continues to appear on streaming, singles, and soundtrack rankings, alongside the Purple Rain album’s ongoing presence on multiple Official Charts Company lists.
📰 Visual Archive
📰 Related Material
• Purple Rain (Album) — Ongoing chart history
• Official Charts Company — Hip Hop & R&B Singles Chart
• Prince chart retrospectives (U.K. and U.S.)
📰 Closing Notes
Even decades after its release, “Purple Rain” continues to challenge contemporary hits on modern charts — a testament to Prince’s enduring cultural gravity. Though the No. 1 spot on the Hip Hop & R&B Singles Chart remains just out of reach, the song’s persistent resurgence underscores its timeless resonance.
📰 Sources
• Forbes (Hugh McIntyre)
• Official Charts Company
• Getty Images (photo credit)
📝 Copyright Notice
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership is claimed or implied.
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