Billboard takes a look back at some of the most controversial Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 tracks.
From Cardi B andMegan Thee Stallion to Katy Perry to Robin Thicke and many more before them, controversy has always been a part of music. With two controversial No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 this summer, Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town” and Oliver Anthony Music’s “Rich Men North of Richmond,” let’s look back at a few of the chart toppers that have stirred up the most controversy.
Madonna’s career is no stranger to controversy, but it was her 1991 hit “Justify My Love” that got the singer’s video banned from MTV for images of sadomasochism, voyeurism and bisexuality.
In November of 1998, the world was introduced to 16-year-old Britney Spears, who came out the gate with her controversial smash “Baby One More Time.” The erotically charged lyrics were considered too mature for a teen pop star at the time, but that did not stop the Princess of Pop from reaching No. 1.
Following his record-setting run at No. 1 on the Hot 100 with “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X brought controversy with his sexually charged song and provocative video for “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” when he gave the devil a lap dance.
And those are just a few controversial No. 1 hits from the Hot 100. For our full list, head to Billboard.com.
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