Andrea Bocelli is a fixture on a handful of Billboard rankings, as his name can almost always be found on several classical-focused lists. The superstar performer is considered one of the most celebrated voices in history, and his fanbase remains massive, even after decades in the spotlight.

Bocelli’s musical output has primarily focused on just a few styles, but this week, he scores a rare hit song in America, one that takes him to a Billboard tally that’s rather surprising, given his body of work.

Andrea Bocelli Joins Lil Wayne and Wyclef Jean

On the current edition of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, Bocelli earns his first career appearance. He joins Lil Wayne and Wyclef Jean on “Maria,” which launches at No. 46 on the 50-spot ranking of the most consumed tracks in America that fall under the genre labels hip-hop, rap, or R&B.

Bocelli is credited as a featured artist on “Maria,” even though he didn’t record new vocals for the track. Instead, the song contains a sample of the crooner performing the classic “Ave Maria,” which plays in the background and forms part of the beat.

Lil Wayne and Wyclef Jean Are Not New

Bocelli may be brand new to the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but both Wayne and Jean have found their way to this ranking before. Thanks to a slew of new arrivals from tracks featured on his latest album Tha Carter VI – including “Maria” – Wayne ups his career total placements to 234. Jean has earned just 19 stays on the tally, including multiple entries that appeared when the roster featured 100 spaces instead of the 50 it does these days.

Andrea Bocelli Nearly Returns to No. 1

As he earns his first hip-hop hit in America, Bocelli almost returns to No. 1 on a pair of Billboard charts. Duets: 30th Anniversary holds in the runner-up space on both the Classical Albums and Classical Crossover Albums tallies. That collection has already ruled those lists in the past, and it has now spent 33 frames on the two.