Auckland Rapper Fat Papi Hits Billboard Hot 100 with Viral Single 'Freaked Out'

Auckland-based artist Baban Hussain, known professionally as Fat Papi, has achieved a historic milestone for Aotearoa music by entering the Billboard Hot 100. As reported by The Spinoff on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the Kurdish rapper’s single 'Freaked Out' landed at No. 89 on the prestigious United States singles chart, placing him alongside global stars like Drake and Olivia Rodrigo. The track, a collaboration with Perth-based producer prodshushy, was released on June 4 and quickly gained international momentum following a viral social media trend. The surge in popularity was sparked on June 6 when TikTok user Jocelyn Meiere, also known as “Miss Diva Bob,” featured the song in a video showcasing her haircut. Despite the original lyric being “Get that bag,” listeners misheard the line as “Get that bob,” leading to a global “fame spiral” and 6.7 million views on the original post. Fat Papi’s achievement marks a significant moment for the local hip-hop community. According to The Spinoff, he is the first Aotearoa artist to appear on the Hot 100 since Lorde’s entry in 2025, and one of only a few local rappers to ever reach the chart. The success has also seen 'Freaked Out' enter the singles charts in the United Kingdom and Australia. Hussain, who has been performing under the name Fat Papi since 2023, is now navigating a rapid rise in his career, including global travel and a significant spike in streaming numbers. The unexpected viral success has triggered a scramble for management as he manages the transition from a local artist to an internationally recognised name on the global charts.