Canadian pop star Drake could join the annals of UK singles chart history if he manages to dominate the top position for the ninth week in a row this Friday.
The 31-year-old has claimed the top spot with his single God’s Plan for eight consecutive weeks so far and looks set to deny British four-piece Rudimental the top position again this week, according to the Official Charts Company.
Rudimental’s single These Days has spent a number of weeks in the top five of the UK singles chart, but has failed to end Drake’s run in the top spot.
God’s Plan will be one of only 21 songs to spend nine weeks or more in the top position of the UK singles official chart, additionally marking it as a memorable event in the 67-year history of the charts, the Official Charts Company said.
This week’s album chart looks set to once again be owned by The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
Last week the soundtrack to the hit Hollywood musical became the second album in 30 years to spend 10 consecutive weeks at the top of the UK album chart.
The movie’s musical accompaniment would then be claiming its eleventh week in the top spot if it scores another victory on Friday.
Scottish rock band The Fratellis could also enjoy chart success this week as they look set to make their return to the album chart’s Top 10 for the first time in 10 years with their new album In Your Own Sweet Time.
Controversial rapper XXXTentacion, whose real name is Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, may also be a new entry to the top five this week with his second album titled ?.
Another American act, The Decemberists, are in line to clinch fifth position, their highest in the UK charts to date, with their album I’ll Be Your Girl.
Someone else who could enjoy a long-anticipated return to the UK album charts is pop star Kim Wilde.
Wilde’s new album, titled Here Come The Aliens, is currently in the ninth spot on the album charts, making it her first album in the UK Top 10 for some 30 years, the Official Charts Company said.