Sean Kingston Scores His First Hit On One Chart While Incarcerated

Sean Kingston reaches the Billboard Global 200 for the first time as “Eenie Meenie,” his collaboration with Justin Bieber, debuts 15 years after its release. MIAMI, FL – JUNE 03: Sean Kingston performs live on stage during “Hot Summer Night” concert at FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park on June 3, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)

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There was a period in the mid-aughts when Sean Kingston was one of the hottest pop stars in the music business. The singer, who was born in America and raised in Jamaica – a fact that influenced his signature style, which brought him to prominence – scored more than a dozen hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in less than a decade. But as is often so common with pop artists, his time in the spotlight quickly waned.

Kingston is currently in prison after being convicted alongside his mother of fraud charges, but that doesn’t stop him from scoring a new hit on a Billboard chart this week. In fact, Kingston lands on a tally he has never seen before – one which didn’t exist during his commercial heyday. He arrives with one of his most popular tracks, which is back in the spotlight thanks to the other name credited on the tune.

Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber’s “Eenie Meenie” Debuts

On this week’s Billboard Global 200, the chart company’s ranking of the 200 most popular songs throughout the world, Kingston earns his first smash. “Eenie Meenie,” a collaboration with Justin Bieber, launches at No. 54.

The cut is back in the spotlight after Bieber headlined Coachella. The Canadian talent sees many of his most popular singles debut on various Billboard rankings or return to tallies they’ve landed on in the past, and some of his high-profile collaborators, such as Kingston, benefit as well.

“Eenie Meenie” Reenters the Billboard Global Excl. U.S.

Kingston and Bieber also sit on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., as “Eenie Meenie” reenters at No. 42. The tally, which was introduced at the same time as the Billboard Global 200, works in the same way, except sales and streaming data from the United States are completely left out of its methodology.

“Eenie Meenie” is not new to the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., as it is on the Billboard Global 200. The single debuted in February of this year, and as it returns, it hits the list for only the second time and establishes a new peak position.

“Eenie Meenie” Was a Top 40 Hit 15 Years Ago

“Eenie Meenie” was released in March of 2010 as the second single from Bieber’s debut album My World 2.0. The set was an extension of his introductory EP My World, which had arrived the year prior.

My World 2.0 was fronted by “Baby,” the singer’s first global blockbuster, and was followed by fellow hits “Somebody to Love” and “U Smile.” During its initial run on the charts, which took place a decade and a half ago, “Eenie Meenie” became a win across a variety of radio formats, and it even climbed as high as No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. The tune was also a top 40 success on the Rhythmic Airplay (No. 15), Pop Airplay (No. 19), and the Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts (No. 25).

Justin Bieber’s Incredible Showing on the Global Charts

“Eenie Meenie” is Kingston’s only hit at the moment, and it marks his first placement on any Billboard chart in months. Before that, it had been quite a while since the troubled musician scored a debut.

Bieber is enjoying perhaps the biggest week of his career on the worldwide tallies. 16 of his songs appear on both the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. A dozen of those compositions land on either both rosters or just one for the very first time, while several other fan favorites return and even reach never-before-seen highs.

ForbesJustin Bieber’s Career-Spanning Hits Reach The Global Charts For The First TimeBy Hugh McIntyre