On January 26, 2024, after seeing a resurgence in commercial performance, an EP with multiple versions of the single was released. 1, the accompanying soundtrack for the HBO drama series The Idol due for release on June 30, would include a single by himself, Madonna and Playboi Carti, titled “Popular”. Upon its release, it was picked up as one of the best songs of the year at that point by Rolling Starling Slots Stone. It was released on June 2, 2023, through XO and Republic Records, originally serving as the second single from The Idol, Vol. Popular with That song was popular with people from my father’s generation. In France, although it failed to enter in the top 40 of the French Singles Chart, it reached number 77 and was certified platinum for 200,000 units sold by SNEP.

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone. On July 25, in order to further promote the song, the Weeknd uploaded a live performance of the song on YouTube. “Popular” debuted within the top 30 in a number of countries, including Iceland, India, Lithuania, Romania, Switzerland and also Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where it debuted in the top-ten. It also marked Playboi Carti’s first top-ten and the Weeknd’s 16th top-ten single in the country.

“Popular” debuted and peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 with 10.1 million official streams, 2 million airplay audience impressions and 4,000 copies sold in its first week, according to Luminate. Starr Bowenbank from Billboard called the song a “slinky track”, laden with “booming synth instrumentals and plinking percussion” reminiscent of early 2000s R&B urban pop. An R&B song, it was written by the Weeknd and Playboi Carti with producers Metro Boomin, Mike Dean, and Tommy Rush, alongside The Idol co-creator Sam Levinson, Michael Walker, and John Flippin. “Popular” is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd, American rapper Playboi Carti, and American singer Madonna. He was popularly believed to have magical powers.