'MONEY' FOR SOMETHING: Ludacris and Pharrell are kings of the hill on both The Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, deposing Justin Timberlake on the former chart and Chris Brown on the latter.

Ludacris' "Money Maker" featuring Pharrell (DTP/Def Jam) is the third chart-topper for the lead rapper on the Hot 100 and the second for Pharrell. In December 2003, Ludacris spent one week in pole position with "Stand Up," a song that featured Shawna. Two months later, Ludacris was No. 1 again as a featured artist, along with Lil Jon, on Usher's "Yeah!" That single resided in the penthouse for 12 weeks. Pharrell's previous Hot 100 chart-topper was "Drop It Like It's Hot," on which he was featured with lead artist Snoop Dogg. "Drop It" reigned for three weeks in December 2004.

On the R&B/Hip-Hop survey, Ludacris scores his fourth No. 1 hit. "Stand Up" and "Yeah!" both topped the chart, along with "Loverboy" by Mariah Carey featuring Da Brat and Ludacris in August 2001. Pharrell collects his third R&B/Hip-Hop No. 1. "Drop it Like It's Hot" was also No. 1 here, as was "Frontin'" by Pharrell featuring Jay-Z in August-September 2003.

"Money Maker" is the 15th song to advance to No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 2006. That's the most chart-toppers in a calendar year since 2000, when 17 songs moved into first place. With two months left to go, this year could well top 2000 for having the highest number of No. 1 songs in this millennium.

While money can't buy you love, it is a popular subject for songs. Despite that, this is only the second No. 1 of the rock era to have a title that begins with the word "money." The first was Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" in September 1985.

Ludacris and Pharrell are the 17th and 18th male acts to take the lead position on the Hot 100 this year. Only five female artists have topped the list: Beyonce, Rihanna, Shakira, Nelly Furtado and Fergie.


FROM REALITY TV TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS: "The One" was a ratings disaster when ABC aired the talent competition series this summer, but the original version of the show was a smash hit when it began airing on Spanish television in 2001. The first season of "Operacion Triunfo" produced three bona fide stars in Spain, as the top three finalists all scored No. 1 singles and albums. David Bustamante and Rosa haven't charted on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs tally, but David Bisbal has been having hit singles since 2003.

His eighth chart entry, "Quien Me Iba a Decir" (Vale/Universal Latino), is his first song to reach No. 1 on this chart. His previous best was "Llorare Las Penas," No. 3 in July 2003. "Quien Me Iba a Decir" is Bisbal's fifth song to reach the top 10.


DOUBLE DEBUTS: David Bisbal isn't the only artist making chart news on the Hot Latin Songs chart. Alejandro Sanz has a new entry at No. 4 with "A La Primera Persona" (Warner Latina) and RBD opens at No. 5 with "Ser O Parecer" (EMI Televisa).

This is the first time there have been two debuts in the top five since the week of April 17, 1999, when Ricky Martin bowed at No. 2 with "Livin' La Vida Loca" and Tito Rojas started at No. 3 with "Por Mujeres Como Tu."


A TALE OF TWO TIMS: Will Tim McGraw soon be joined in the top 10 of the Hot Country Songs survey by "Tim McGraw"? Tim McGraw, the artist, earns his 38th top 10 hit as "My Little Girl" (Curb) from the soundtrack to the film "Flicka" jumps 14-10.

Also taking a four-point leap is "Tim McGraw" (Big Machine), the song by Taylor Swift. Her track marches 21-17 and could join the real Tim McGraw in the top 10.


A TALE OF TWO JUSTINS: There should be no despair in the house of Justin Timberlake, even though he loses his grip on the summit of the Hot 100. After seven weeks on top, "SexyBack" (Jive) slides to No. 2. But at the same time, the follow-up makes a 13-8 move to land in the top 10. "My Love" is the fourth top 10 hit for Timberlake and also the fourth top 10 hit for featured artist T.I.
Timberlake is the first artist to have two hits in the top 10 at the same time since Rihanna did it the week of June 17 with "SOS" at No. 7 and "Unfaithful" at No. 9.


A TALE OF TWO GORDYS: George Gordy (brother to Berry Gordy) and Rosemary Gordy wrote a song in 1970 called "Darling Dear" that appeared on albums by the Jackson 5 as well as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles.

Now George and Rosemary have a new songwriting credit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, as "Darling Dear" is sampled in "Put It in a Letter" (Def Jam/Def Con II) by Mic Little featuring Ne-Yo, a new entry at No. 95.