Rihanna breaks new ground with first dance/electronic hit

In the United Kingdom, Rihanna's latest single 'Friend of Mine' has debuted at No. 19 on the Official Dance Singles chart, marking her first new entry in nearly a decade. The song, which has been crafted specifically for the upcoming animated Smurfs movie, also opens at No. 3 on Billboard's newly established Hot Dance/Electronic Pop Songs chart. This is a significant achievement for the artist, as it represents her first placement on this particular tally. Her last entry on the Official Dance Singles list occurred in May 2016 with the track 'This Is What You Came For,' a collaboration with Calvin Harris. Despite the anticipation surrounding her return to music, 'Friend of Mine' underperformed in comparison to expectations, as it did not make it into the top 10 upon debut. This is somewhat disappointing for Rihanna, who is recognized as one of the biggest stars in the music industry. There was considerable excitement leading up to the release, yet it seems that the reception for this track has been lukewarm. The debut at No. 19 marks her second lowest-charting position on the Official Dance Singles chart throughout her career, with only 'Jump' performing lower. On the U.S. charts, Rihanna has seen a mixed reception for 'Friend of Mine.' While it has landed on more than half a dozen Billboard charts due to swift radio support, it still missed the Hot 100 by one position, debuting instead on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. This indicates that while her new music is gaining attention, it may not resonate as strongly with audiences as her previous hits. Additionally, 'Friend of Mine' secured the top debut on the Dance Digital Song Sales chart and entered the Dance Streaming Songs chart, displaying its popularity within some sectors despite broader underperformance. Rihanna’s foray into the dance/electronic genre has gained her recognition as she branches out from her extensive career that has included multiple genres. The release of 'Friend of Mine' signals a continued evolution in her artistry, and its success, however modest, brings her back to dance music after many years. Overall, while the chart positions indicate that her new single may not be a blockbuster hit, it does establish Rihanna’s presence on a chart she has yet to appear on in her career, confirming her versatility as an artist and paving the way for future projects.