In the latest Billboard chart milestones, the spotlight isn’t just on Beyoncé but also on her family members. Rumi Carter, at the tender age of 6 years and 9 months, has etched her name in history as the youngest-charting female artist on the esteemed Billboard Hot 100, courtesy of her guest appearance on her mom’s track “Protector.”
The track, featured on Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter,” made an impressive debut at No. 42 on the Hot 100, fueled by a whopping 11.3 million official U.S. streams during its opening week. “Cowboy Carter” itself soared to the top of multiple charts including the Billboard 200, Top Country Albums, and Americana/Folk Albums, with an impressive 407,000 equivalent album units earned, marking a significant highlight in the music landscape of 2024. Beyoncé herself achieved a groundbreaking feat by becoming the first Black woman to reign over the Top Country Albums chart.
Rumi’s achievement surpasses her older sister, Blue Ivy Carter, who made waves at 7 years old with her feature on “Brown Skin Girl” in 2019. Notably, Blue Ivy still holds the distinction of being the youngest artist ever to grace any Billboard chart, owing to her appearance on Jay-Z’s “Glory” at just a few days old.
However, while Rumi secures her place as the youngest-charting female artist in Hot 100 history, the overall record for the youngest-charting artist belongs to Jordy, who debuted at a mere 5 years old in 1993.
The musical legacy of Beyoncé and Jay-Z is undeniable, with Beyoncé boasting 106 total songs on the Hot 100, surpassing Jay-Z’s count of 105 this week.
Rumi and Blue Ivy’s achievement adds to the rich history of siblings making their mark on the Hot 100, joining the ranks of iconic musical families such as the Cyrus, Gibb, Jackson, Smith, and Wilson siblings.
Moreover, the musical landscape continues to evolve with the rise of social media, suggesting that the age of talented stars earning Grammy nominations could trend younger and younger. Notably, Blue Ivy’s Grammy nomination at the age of 8 places her in esteemed company alongside Deleon Richards, who was previously recognized as the youngest gospel artist nominee.
Richards’ legacy as the youngest gospel artist nominee still holds, yet the ever-changing dynamics of the music industry hint at a future where younger talents may continue to redefine expectations and accomplishments.
