List of Hot Black Singles number ones of 1988

Billboard published a weekly chart in 1988 ranking the top-performing singles in the United States in African American–oriented genres; the chart's name has changed over the decades to reflect the evolution of black music and has been published as Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs since 2005.[1] In 1988, it was published under the title Hot Black Singles,[2] and 35 different singles reached number one.

Singer Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby (pictured in 2003) was one of many artists to top the chart for the first time in 1988.

In the issue of Billboard dated January 2, Michael Jackson was at number one with "The Way You Make Me Feel", retaining the spot from the final issue of 1987.[3] He also spent time atop the chart in 1988 with "Man in the Mirror" and "Another Part of Me", making him the artist with the most number ones during the year and taking the number of Hot Black Singles chart-toppers from his 1987 album Bad to five.[4][5] Al B. Sure! had two number ones and tied with Jackson for the most weeks spent by an act at number one, both artists spending five weeks in the peak position. Pebbles, Bobby Brown, and Freddie Jackson (no relation to Michael) all also topped the chart with two singles during the year. In March, Stevie Wonder reached number one with "You Will Know", his 20th single to top the chart, tying him with Aretha Franklin for the most number ones by an artist in the listing's history.[6]

More than half of the acts that topped the chart in 1988 did so for the first time. In the issue dated January 30, Keith Sweat gained his first number one with "I Want Her",[7] which would go on to top Billboard's year-end black singles chart.[8] Terence Trent D'Arby reached number one for the first time with "Wishing Well", as did George Michael with "One More Try". Both tracks also topped Billboard's pop chart, the Hot 100; Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man in the Mirror" and Billy Ocean's "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" also topped both listings.[9] "One More Try" was the last in a run of six consecutive first-time Hot Black Singles number ones between April and June, following the debut chart-toppers for E.U., Al B. Sure!, Pebbles, Johnny Kemp, and Tony! Toni! Toné!.[10] Morris Day, Teena Marie, Sade, the Mac Band featuring the McCampbell Brothers, Karyn White, Anita Baker, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, the Boys, and Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers all also reached number one on the Hot Black Singles listing for the first time, as did the rapper Roxanne Shante when she featured on a chart-topper by Rick James.[11] Jeffrey Osborne achieved his first number one as a solo artist; he had reached number one three times with his band L.T.D. during the previous decade, but "She's on the Left" became his first and only solo single to top the chart when it reached number one in September.[12]

Chart history

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Keith Sweat (pictured in 2009) topped the chart with "I Want Her" which was also number one on Billboard's year-end black singles chart.
 
Michael Jackson (pictured in 1988) had three chart toppers during the year: "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Man in the Mirror", and "Another Part of Me".
 
"You Will Know" was the 20th Hot Black Singles chart-topper for Stevie Wonder (pictured in 1973), tying him with Aretha Franklin for the most number ones on the chart.
 
British singer George Michael (pictured in 1988) topped the chart for the first time.
Key
Indicates number 1 on Billboard's year-end black singles chart[8]
Chart history
Issue date Title Artist(s) Ref.
January 2 "The Way You Make Me Feel" Michael Jackson [3]
January 9 [13]
January 16 [14]
January 23 "Love Overboard" Gladys Knight & the Pips [15]
January 30 "I Want Her" † Keith Sweat [16]
February 6 [17]
February 13 [18]
February 20 "Girlfriend" Pebbles [19]
February 27 [20]
March 5 "You Will Know" Stevie Wonder [21]
March 12 "Fishnet" Morris Day [22]
March 19 [23]
March 26 "Man in the Mirror" Michael Jackson [24]
April 2 "Wishing Well" Terence Trent D'Arby [25]
April 9 "Ooo La La La" Teena Marie [26]
April 16 "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" Billy Ocean [27]
April 23 "Da Butt" E.U. [28]
April 30 "Nite and Day" Al B. Sure! [29]
May 7 [30]
May 14 [31]
May 21 "Mercedes Boy" Pebbles [32]
May 28 "Just Got Paid" Johnny Kemp [33]
June 4 [34]
June 11 "Little Walter" Tony! Toni! Toné! [35]
June 18 "One More Try" George Michael [36]
June 25 "Joy" Teddy Pendergrass [37]
July 2 [38]
July 9 "Paradise" Sade [39]
July 16 "Roses Are Red" The Mac Band featuring the McCampbell Brothers [40]
July 23 "Don't Be Cruel" Bobby Brown [41]
July 30 [42]
August 6 "Off on Your Own (Girl)" Al B. Sure! [43]
August 13 [44]
August 20 "Loosey's Rap" Rick James featuring Roxanne Shante [45]
August 27 "Nice 'n' Slow" Freddie Jackson [46]
September 3 [47]
September 10 [48]
September 17 "Another Part of Me" Michael Jackson [49]
September 24 "She's on the Left" Jeffrey Osborne [50]
October 1 "Addicted to You" LeVert [51]
October 8 [52]
October 15 "My Prerogative" Bobby Brown [53]
October 22 [54]
October 29 "The Way You Love Me" Karyn White [55]
November 5 "Any Love" Luther Vandross [56]
November 12 "Giving You the Best That I Got" Anita Baker [57]
November 19 [58]
November 26 "Thanks for My Child" Cheryl Pepsii Riley [59]
December 3 "Hey Lover" Freddie Jackson [60]
December 10 "Dial My Heart" The Boys [61]
December 17 "Everything I Miss at Home" Cherrelle [62]
December 24 "Tumblin' Down" Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers [63]
December 31 [64]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Molanphy, Chris (April 14, 2014). "I Know You Got Soul: The Trouble With Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Chart". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 21, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Whitburn 1996, p. xii.
  3. ^ a b "R & B Chart for January 2, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  4. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 284.
  5. ^ Arnold, Chuck (August 31, 2017). "Michael Jackson dropped Bad 30 years ago today. Here's the definitive song ranking". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  6. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 635, 636, 783.
  7. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 584.
  8. ^ a b "Year End Charts – Year-end Singles – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. December 11, 2007. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  9. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 145, 284, 397, 436.
  10. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 26, 191, 319, 454, 584.
  11. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 43, 73, 145, 149, 369, 376, 377, 397, 444, 493, 508, 521, 560, 621.
  12. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 364, 444.
  13. ^ "R & B Chart for January 9, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  14. ^ "R & B Chart for January 16, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  15. ^ "R & B Chart for January 23, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "R & B Chart for January 30, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  17. ^ "R & B Chart for February 6, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  18. ^ "R & B Chart for February 13, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  19. ^ "R & B Chart for February 20, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "R & B Chart for February 27, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  21. ^ "R & B Chart for March 5, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  22. ^ "R & B Chart for March 12, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  23. ^ "R & B Chart for March 19, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  24. ^ "R & B Chart for March 26, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  25. ^ "R & B Chart for April 2, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  26. ^ "R & B Chart for April 9, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "R & B Chart for April 16, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  28. ^ "R & B Chart for April 23, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  29. ^ "R & B Chart for April 30, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  30. ^ "R & B Chart for May 7, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  31. ^ "R & B Chart for May 14, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  32. ^ "R & B Chart for May 21, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  33. ^ "R & B Chart for May 28, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  34. ^ "R & B Chart for June 4, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "R & B Chart for June 11, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  36. ^ "R & B Chart for June 18, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  37. ^ "R & B Chart for June 25, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  38. ^ "R & B Chart for July 2, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  39. ^ "R & B Chart for July 9, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  40. ^ "R & B Chart for July 16, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  41. ^ "R & B Chart for July 23, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  42. ^ "R & B Chart for July 30, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  43. ^ "R & B Chart for August 6, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  44. ^ "R & B Chart for August 13, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  45. ^ "R & B Chart for August 20, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  46. ^ "R & B Chart for August 27, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  47. ^ "R & B Chart for September 3, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  48. ^ "R & B Chart for September 10, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  49. ^ "R & B Chart for September 17, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  50. ^ "R & B Chart for September 24, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  51. ^ "R & B Chart for October 1, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  52. ^ "R & B Chart for October 8, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  53. ^ "R & B Chart for October 15, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  54. ^ "R & B Chart for October 22, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  55. ^ "R & B Chart for October 29, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  56. ^ "R & B Chart for November 5, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  57. ^ "R & B Chart for November 12, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  58. ^ "R & B Chart for November 19, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  59. ^ "R & B Chart for November 26, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  60. ^ "R & B Chart for December 3, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  61. ^ "R & B Chart for December 10, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  62. ^ "R & B Chart for December 17, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  63. ^ "R & B Chart for December 24, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  64. ^ "R & B Chart for December 31, 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.

Works cited

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