Teddy Swims and GIVĒON have brilliantly claimed the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart with their captivating collaboration titled “Are You Even Real.” This impressive achievement is reflected in the chart dated April 26, as the single surged from No. 3, experiencing a remarkable 17% increase in plays. This surge in popularity made it the most-played song across U.S. panel-contributing adult R&B radio stations during the tracking week of April 11 to April 17, according to data from Luminate. As a testament to its soaring success, “Are You Even Real” has also been honored with the weekly Greatest Gainer award, which recognizes the track with the most significant rise in plays during that period.
The single “Are You Even Real,” which has been meticulously released and promoted through the collaborative efforts of Swims INT and Warner, has successfully overtaken last week’s chart-topper, Muni Long’s “Superpowers.” This previous champion has now slipped from the top position down to No. 3 after experiencing a decline of 23% in plays during the week. The dynamic nature of the competition on the Adult R&B Airplay chart highlights the ever-evolving landscape of music and listener preferences.
With this latest achievement, Teddy Swims earns his second No. 1 hit on the Adult R&B Airplay chart. His breakout single, “Lose Control,” previously dominated the chart for an impressive three weeks back in June 2024. The significance of radio success cannot be understated, as it has played a crucial role in the enduring and historic triumph of “Lose Control.” Beyond its reign on Adult R&B Airplay, the track has also secured top positions on the Pop Airplay chart and the overall Radio Songs chart, ultimately helping it attain the year-end Hot 100 No. 1 title for 2024. The song’s remarkable performance also includes a record-breaking 58 weeks within the top 10 of the Hot 100.
In addition to his success with “Lose Control” and “Are You Even Real,” Teddy Swims has now joined an exclusive group of artists. He becomes the fourth artist in the 2020s decade to achieve the remarkable feat of topping the Adult R&B Airplay chart with each of his first two releases. This elite group includes:
– The Bonfyre with “Automatic” in March 2019 and “U Say,” featuring 6lack, in February 2020.
– Tems, who had a featured role on Wizkid’s “Essence” from October 2021 to January 2022, and her own track “Free Mind” from February to April 2023.
– October London, known for “Back to Your Place” from August to October 2023 and “Mulholland Drive,” featuring Snoop Dogg and Latoiya Williams, in August 2024.
For GIVĒON, the release of “Are You Even Real” marks his first No. 1 achievement on the Adult R&B Airplay chart, coming with his fifth charting title. His previous best was a commendable No. 7 position for “Like I Want You” back in February 2021. However, the current champion isn’t his only notable hit at the moment. GIVĒON’s track “Twenties” continues to make waves, maintaining its No. 9 position on this week’s chart with a 4% increase in plays during the latest tracking week. This highlights his growing influence and presence within the music industry.
In addition to its success on the Adult R&B chart, “Are You Even Real” is also making significant strides elsewhere. The song has climbed from No. 10 to No. 9 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart, fueled by a 7% increase in plays within that format. Furthermore, it has ascended from No. 18 to No. 16 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, marking an 8% rise in plays. These gains across multiple formats are instrumental in propelling the song’s overall ranking, as it improves from No. 44 to No. 41 on the all-genre Radio Songs chart. Currently, “Are You Even Real” boasts an impressive 16.7 million audience impressions across all formats, reflecting a 4% boost from the previous week, showcasing its widespread appeal and reach.