In a remarkable show of cross-genre synergy, Jennie of Blackpink has achieved a historic milestone on the US radio airwaves. Her collaboration with the Australian psychedelic pop act Tame Impala, titled 'Dracula,' has ascended to a new peak of No. 3 on Billboard’s Radio Songs chart. This feat not only cements Jennie’s growing dominance as a solo artist but also places her ahead of her Blackpink bandmate Rosé, whose earlier smash 'Apt.' with Bruno Mars had peaked at No. 4 on the same ranking.
The Rise of 'Dracula' on Radio Songs
The Radio Songs chart measures the total audience impressions across all radio formats in the United States. 'Dracula' has been a consistent performer since its release, spending a dozen weeks on the chart before reaching its new high. Last week, the track sat at No. 6, but a surge in airplay across pop, adult contemporary, and rhythmic stations pushed it up three places. The only songs keeping 'Dracula' from the top spot are Bruno Mars’ 'I Just Might' and Olivia Dean’s 'So Easy (To Fall in Love),' both of which hold steady at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.
Mars’ 'I Just Might' has been a formidable chart presence, tying with hits like 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls and Miley Cyrus’ 'Flowers' as the fourth longest-running leader in the chart’s history. Meanwhile, Dean’s ballad continues to perform strongly, making the top three fiercely competitive. Nonetheless, Jennie and Tame Impala’s ascent to No. 3 is a testament to the remix’s broad appeal and the enduring popularity of both artists.
Jennie Surpasses Rosé on the All-Time K-Pop Chart
One of the most talked-about aspects of this achievement is that 'Dracula' now ranks as the second highest-charting hit by a K-pop-associated artist on the Radio Songs chart. While the song itself is not a K-pop track—it’s a collaboration with an Australian act—Jennie is widely recognized as a K-pop star, and her presence on the remix brings the song into that category.
Previously, Rosé held the No. 2 spot with 'Apt.,' her duet with Bruno Mars that peaked at No. 4. Now, Jennie has surpassed her fellow Blackpink member by one position. The only K-pop-associated track to reach a higher peak on Radio Songs is 'Golden,' credited to the fictional girl group Huntr/x, along with vocalists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. That song remains the sole K-pop-related No. 1 on the chart.
This friendly rivalry between Blackpink members highlights the immense global impact of the group’s individual projects. Since Blackpink’s members have pursued solo activities, each has carved out a unique space in the music industry. Rosé’s 'Apt.' was a massive pop hit that showcased her vocal prowess and chemistry with Bruno Mars. Jennie, on the other hand, has dabbled in a darker, more alternative sound with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, and it has clearly resonated with radio programmers and listeners alike.
Jennie’s Radio Chart History
'Dracula' marks Jennie’s second appearance on the Radio Songs chart. Her first came in 2024 with 'One of the Girls,' a collaboration with The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp that served as a promotional single for the HBO Max series The Idol. That track peaked at No. 48 and spent only three weeks on the chart—a far cry from the sustained success of 'Dracula.'
Comparing the two, 'Dracula' has already spent four times longer on the chart and reached a peak 45 positions higher. This represents not just a personal best for Jennie but a significant leap in her ability to connect with American radio audiences. The remix has also climbed on other Billboard charts, including Pop Airplay (No. 3) and Adult Contemporary (No. 19), indicating that it has crossover appeal across multiple formats.
Tame Impala’s Biggest Hit
For Tame Impala, 'Dracula' is the first and only song to ever appear on the Radio Songs chart. Despite the project’s critical acclaim and devoted fanbase, Kevin Parker’s music has traditionally performed better on rock, alternative, and dance charts. 'Dracula' originally appeared on Tame Impala’s 2025 album Deadbeat and became a quick smash on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Hot Dance/Electronic Songs charts. However, the addition of Jennie’s vocals on the remix opened the track up to a much wider audience, especially on pop and rhythmic radio.
The collaboration came about organically: Parker, a fan of Blackpink, reached out to Jennie after hearing her guest verse on a remix of another song. The two recorded 'Dracula' in Los Angeles, blending Parker’s signature psychedelic production with Jennie’s cool, assertive delivery. The resulting track has been described as a 'dark pop banger' by critics, and its success on the charts proves that genre-blending collaborations can yield massive commercial returns.
Blackpink’s Solo Successes
Jennie and Rosé are not the only Blackpink members to make waves on the US charts. Lisa’s solo single 'Money' and Jisoo’s 'Flower' have also charted on various Billboard rankings, though neither reached the heights of 'Apt.' or 'Dracula' on Radio Songs. However, all four members have scored Top 10 hits on the Billboard Global 200 and have sold millions of albums worldwide.
The success of these solo ventures underscores Blackpink’s unique position in the music industry: they are one of the few K-pop groups where each member has successfully established a distinct solo identity while still maintaining the group’s collective brand. With YG Entertainment allowing more creative freedom for solo projects, the members have explored different genres—from Rosé’s folk-pop ballads to Jennie’s edgy collaborations.
Impact on K-Pop’s Presence on US Radio
The Radio Songs chart has historically been difficult for K-pop artists to crack. Unlike streaming charts, which can be influenced by global fanbases, radio airplay depends on local DJs and music directors in the United States. Few K-pop acts have managed to secure significant airplay, and even BTS, the biggest K-pop group of all time, only managed a few songs in the Top 40 of the chart.
Jennie’s success with 'Dracula'—a song that is not strictly K-pop—suggests that the key to widespread radio play may lie in collaborations with established Western artists. By pairing with Tame Impala, Jennie introduced her music to audiences who might not normally listen to K-pop, and the radio success followed naturally. Similarly, Rosé’s 'Apt.' benefited from Bruno Mars’ massive popularity and radio-friendly production.
Despite this progress, 'Golden' by Huntr/x remains the only K-pop-related No. 1 on Radio Songs. That song was a viral hit that crossed over from TikTok to traditional radio, but its lead vocalist, Ejae, is a Western singer, and the group behind it is a fictional creation. So the quest for a truly K-pop No. 1 on this chart continues, but Jennie has certainly moved the needle.
'Dracula' Across 17 Billboard Charts
In addition to Radio Songs, 'Dracula' appears on 17 different Billboard charts this week, according to the latest data. Besides its new peaks on Pop Airway and Adult Contemporary, the song holds steady at or returns to its best-ever positions on eight other charts. These include the Billboard Hot 100, where 'Dracula' has been a fixture in the upper region for months, as well as the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, the Alternative Airplay chart, and the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
The song’s longevity is impressive: it has now spent over four months on multiple charts, a feat that few collaborations can achieve. This consistency suggests that 'Dracula' has become a staple on radio playlists and streaming platforms, and its popularity shows no signs of waning anytime soon.
The Future for Jennie and Tame Impala
With 'Dracula' still climbing on some charts, both Jennie and Tame Impala are enjoying one of the biggest hits of their respective careers. For Jennie, this success opens the door for more solo music, possibly leading to a full-length album or a concert tour. She has hinted in interviews that she is working on new material, and the success of 'Dracula' will likely give her more leverage to pursue her artistic vision.
For Kevin Parker, the collaboration with Jennie has introduced Tame Impala to a younger, pop-oriented audience. While Parker has always had a following among indie and alternative fans, his work with a K-pop star could lead to more collaborations in the mainstream space. He has already expressed interest in working with other Asian artists, and fans are eager to see what comes next.
Source: Forbes News