Maxwell’s ‘Simply Beautiful’ Tops Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay Chart

Maxwell has reached a new peak on this week’s Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart, dated Oct. 12.

The Grammy winner’s latest single, “Simply Beautiful,” a cover of Al Green’s 1972 classic, moves from No. 2 to No. 1, displacing Chris Brown‘s “Sensational” after a seven-week run, the longest among male artists this year.

“Simply Beautiful” is the R&B legend’s ninth turn at the top of this chart. Maxwell now ties with Tank and Usher for the second-most No. 1s among male artists on the Adult R&B Airplay chart. Charlie Wilson leads with 10 No. 1s.

Alicia Keys has the most No. 1s among artists with 14, followed by Toni Braxton with 11.

Maxwell last occupied the pole position in April 2022, when his steamy track “Off” rocketed amid a national tour with special guests Joe and Anthony Hamilton. At that time, his rise briefly equaled Wilson’s for the most No. 1s among male artists.

Here is a breakdown of all nine of Maxwell’s No. 1s on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, in order by longest-run:

• “Fortunate,” No. 1 for 18 weeks (1999)
• “Lifetime,” No. 1 for 15 weeks (2001-2002)
• “Pretty Wings,” No. 1 for 12 weeks (2009)
• “Lake By The Ocean,” No. 1 for 10 weeks (2016)
• “Bad Habits,” No. 1 for nine weeks (2009)
• “Fire We Make,” with Alicia Keys, No. 1 for seven weeks (2013)
• “Fistful Tears,” No. 1 for two weeks (2010)
• “Off,” No. 1 for two weeks (2022)
• “Simply Beautiful,” No. 1 for one week so far (2024)

Elsewhere on Billboard, “Simply Beautiful” is No. 12 on the R&B/HipHop Airplay chart. 

Released Aug. 2, “Simply Beautiful” is Maxwell’s first single in nearly three years. He co-produced it with longtime collaborators Hod David and Shedrick Mitchell.

About his cover, Maxwell stated, “The first time I heard Al Green’s music, I was amazed. He is such an icon, I mean what a brilliant musician and songwriter. It’s been an honor to get in the studio and record one of his songs.”

Maxwell is on his Serenade Tour with special guests Jazmine Sullivan and October London.

In February 2025, Maxwell will set sail on his second annual Urban Hang Suite Cruise. In addition to Maxwell, there will be performances by Anthony Hamilton, Marsha Ambrosius, Lalah Hathaway, Terrace Martin, Avery*Sunshine, and others.

Listen to Maxwell’s “Simply Beautiful” below.