Kristine W Ties Mariah Carey’s Record; Only Madonna and Janet Jackson Have Scored More Billboard Dance #1s

 

NEW YORK, NY - Kristine W scored her 15th No. 1 on Billboard's Dance/Club Play Songs chart this week, as "The Power of Music" featuring Big Daddy Kane ascended 2-1. In the list's history, which dates to 1974, the performer is now tied with Mariah Carey for third-most toppers. Only Madonna (40) and Janet Jackson (19) have more No. 1s.

 

 

The Power of Music is Kristine’s first studio album in five years. It has already proven its power on the dance floor yielding five consecutive Billboard #1s. “Walk Away”, “The Boss”, “Never”, “Love is the Look”, and “Be Alright” all landed at the top spot on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play List in 2009. The title track was released Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 with remixes by Groove Police, Wideboys, Tony Moran, Virgo Brothers, Sweet Team and Joe Gauthreaux. The single debuted at #31 on January 30th and quickly escalated up the Billboard charts to become the sixth consecutive single from Kristine’s The Power of Music album to hit the top spot.

 

“Mariah Carey is my all time biggest idol,” said Miss W at this morning’s announcement. “To tie her impressive record is a dream-come-true for me as an artist.”

 

If anyone understands the power of music, it is Kristine W. “I was three years old when my mother was preparing to split up the kids and give us to a family because she could not find work that would pay to keep a roof over our heads,” she revealed earlier this year at the announcement of the single release. “Luckily, she was an amazing singer and guitar player. She started performing as a strolling singer in a restaurant. Her career took off and she was able to raise four children as a full time musician. I watched the power of music save my family from desperate times.”  

 

Music also saw Kristine through the biggest challenge of her life; cancer. “That’s when I learned that music is strong medicine.” This year, Kristine celebrates eight years of remission.

 

It was Kristine’s idea to add a rap by Big Daddy Kane to “The Power of Music” single. “I met Kane in Washington DC two years ago. We were lobbying for artists’ performance rights. ‘The Power of Music’ was the perfect opportunity for us to work together because we both share the passion to fight for music.”

 

Even the music video for the single, directed by Mike Ruiz (a celebrity photographer who regularly appears on television’s America’s Next Top Model and RuPaul’s Drag Race) is showing its power. HBO announced this week they will begin heavily rotating the “The Power of Music” video on HBO ZONE, their urban/college channel.

 

In addition to tying Ms. Carey’s record, Kristine W holds the world’s record for Most Consecutive #1 Billboard Club Hits. In 2004, she surpassed Madonna and Janet Jackson’s record of seven #1 songs in a row. In 2005, Kristine W broke her own record with the release of “Wonder of It All”, her ninth consecutive #1.

 

Kristine W is a fourth generation entertainer hailing from Pasco, Washington. After winning the title of Miss Washington and placing first in the talent competition at the Miss America pageant, Kristine headlined her own show at the Las Vegas Hilton. She won several 'Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year' awards and was officially sanctioned as the entertainer who performed more live shows at the Las Vegas Hilton than any other performer in its history - including Elvis. The award led to June 28th being declared Kristine W day in the state of Nevada.