Photo Credit: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
“Meant to Be” Shatters Chart Record with 35-Week Run
FGL Performs “Simple” on CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden (8/14)
NASHVILLE, TN (July 31, 2018) — Billboard Trailblazer Award recipients FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE and multi-platinum singer/songwriter BEBE REXHA now have the longest-running streak on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with their 3X PLATINUM-certified smash “Meant to Be,” released via Warner Bros. Records. The global entertainers premiered at the top of the chart on December 16, 2017 and have reigned an unprecedented 35 weeks straight.
“I’m so honored to be a writer and an artist on this song,” FGL’s Tyler Hubbard tells Billboard. “I’m thankful to just be one of the many people who put so much energy and effort into making music history. Now, it’s time to get back in the studio and try to break the new record.” FGL’s Brian Kelley adds, “The power of music continues to blow our minds, and we are extremely humbled and thankful that ‘Meant’ has spent the better part of a year at the top. The connection we feel with our fans through our music is extra special with this song. Bebe and her camp were a blast to work with.”
“I’m grateful to be able to create music that allows me to push limits and push myself. I’m grateful for all the love and warmth from the country community [and give] credit to country greats who influenced me: Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and so many more. Here’s to writing with your heart and breaking boundaries,” shared Bebe Rexha.
Surpassing 1 billion total streams globally, “Meant to Be” became FGL’s first No. 1 Hot Country Songs debut and marked only the fourth No. 1 entrance in the chart’s history. Rexha also became the first solo female to launch in the top spot. Hubbard, Rexha, Josh Miller, and David Garcia penned the fated single, which has now surpassed the MULTI-PLATINUM duo’s own former record-breaking “Cruise” (24 weeks). An exclusive live version of “Meant to Be” is available now, recorded when FGL and Rexha performed together at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium during this summer’s CMA Fest.
FGL has ruled Billboard’s Hot Country Songs for the most weeks – 91 cumulative – since it launched in 1958. FGL has reached the chart pinnacle with six hits total – “Cruise”; “Stay”; “This Is How We Roll”; “Dirt”; “H.O.L.Y.”; “Meant to Be” (Bebe Rexha & FGL).
On August 13, FGL and Rexha will bring their worldwide mega-smash to the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, CA, for a one-night-only conversation and performance hosted by Billboard’s West Coast Editor Melinda Newman. Up next, FGL and Rexha will vie for Best Collaboration at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards (8/20); fan-voting is now open. On August 14, FGL will return to CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden to perform their current Top 10-and-climbing single, “Simple.”
The BMLG Records superstars are taking their fresh hits on the road – having released their roots-infused lead single plus “Colorado” and “Talk You Out of It” off their upcoming fourth studio album – with their inaugural FGL Fest this fall during the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 25th annual NASCAR weekend (9/8) and speeding into the winter with FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS residency inside Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (12/1, 12/5, 12/7, 12/8 and 12/11).
For more information about Florida Georgia Line, please visit floridageorgialine.com and reach out onFacebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE: Billboard’s first-ever Trailblazer Award recipients continue to build their ever-expanding empire of innovative artistry and entrepreneurial endeavors throughout their colossal career. With their organically romantic lead single “Simple” surging Country charts, the duo offers a peek at their anticipated fourth studio album. Shattering records on their own accord, FGL’s collaborations have amplified their appeal as the 3X PLATINUM-certified No. 1 “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha leads the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the 35th week – the longest reign overall. The song also becomes FGL’s 15th No. 1 overall as artists. Exceeding 4.2 billion streams, 31 million tracks, and more than 4.3 million albums sold worldwide, the BMLG Records’ duo became the first Country act to achieve RIAA’s DIAMOND certification (10 million copies sold) for their breakout “Cruise,” which is the best-selling digital Country single of all time (SoundScan). Since 2012, FGL has earned prestigious honors from the AMAs, ACM Awards, CMA Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and CMT Music Awards, plus left their mark on several chart-crushing songs as writers. The bona fide visionaries have launched their own Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey, as well as thriving businesses: FGL HOUSE, meet + greet, Tree Vibez Music, and Tribe Kelley.
ABOUT BEBE REXHA: Singer/songwriter Bebe Rexha has accumulated more than 12 million overall single sales, 6 billion total global streams and a radio audience of more than 10 billion. Her highly anticipated debut album, “Expectations,” was released June 22nd on Warner Bros. Records and features her newest chart climbing single, “I’m a Mess,” as well as Bebe’s lead single, the global #1 record breaking smash “Meant to Be” with Florida Georgia Line. The latter was just nominated for a 2018 MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration. Bebe, whom Billboard calls “one of the most daring artists of 2017,” burst onto the scene in 2013 when she penned the song “Monster,” which became a worldwide hit for Eminem and Rihanna, and went RIAA 6x platinum stateside. Since then, Bebe co-wrote and carried the instantly recognizable hook for the 3x platinum “Hey Mama,” by David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Afrojack, which was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song. She also hit #1 both on the Billboard Pop and Rap charts with her platinum-selling smash single, “Me, Myself & I” with G-Eazy. Her last single, “I Got You” has more than 244 million views, “No Broken Hearts,” featuring Nicki Minaj, has more than 241 million views; and she is featured on Martin Garrix’s single, “In The Name of Love,” which has amassed more than 332 million views. Bebe released her second EP, “All Your Fault: Part 1,” and the follow-up, “All Your Fault: Part 2,” last year to rave reviews.
