Becoming a viral sensation is even more essential than before for a new artist. Under Billboard’s new rules for their all-important Hot 100 chart, YouTube streams are now included in the calculation. Previously, only radio airplay, sales, and various forms of streaming through services like Spotify and Rhapsody were used to tabulate what the biggest song was. Had this new formula been around when PSY’s “Gangnam Style” was at its peak, it certainly would’ve hit pole position instead of stalling at No. 2 for weeks.

Taking advantage of the new rules is Baauer. Even though “Harlem Shake” is receiving minimal radio airplay, the single skyrocketed to No. 1 thanks to all those viral videos dominating YouTube and an impressive 262,000 downloads. The meme-of-the-moment knocks off Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” which has occupied the top spot the past five weeks.

check out what established artists also benefited after the jump

It’s been a big year in music and a lot of records have been broken. It’s insane to think that Psy‘s “Gangnam Style” has passed the 1 billion views mark for his music video on YouTube. Carly Rae Jepsen was launched into superstardom after Justin Bieber personally endorsed her soon-to-be worldwide obsession, “Call Me Maybe.” It’s pretty much a given that these two songs are in the Billboard‘s Top 10 Songs of 2012, but what about the other eight?

Billboard’s top song of the year also charted #1 in Radio Songs, #1 in Digital Songs, #5 in Ringtones, #8 in Pop Songs, and #6 in Adult Contemporary. If that doesn’t give it away, I’m sure the header photo did. The number one song is Gotye‘s “Somebody That I Used To Know,” which also features Kimbra. Love that song! Find out what other songs make up the Top 10 list below. I’ve also included all of the songs/music videos should you be inclined to watch the videos and/or listen to the songs. Enjoy!

Check out the Top 10 videos after the jump…

Bruno Mars has created Billboard history ya’ll. How you say? Mars’ latest hit, “Locked Out of Heaven,” just knocked Rihanna’s “Diamonds” out of Billboard’s Hot 100 No. 1 slot. The lead single from his sophomore album, Unorthodox Jukebox, becomes his fourth chart-topper in his short career. With this, he becomes the fastest man to score four No. 1s on the chart in 48 years.

The 27-year-old Hawaiian native nabbed his first No. 1 back in 2010 with his collaboration with B.o.B. on “Nothin’ On You“. He followed that up with two huge hits- “Just The Way You Are” and “Grenade“- from his debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. The span from his first chart-topper to his latest is two years, 10 months and one week. The only person to achieve this feat faster is Bobby Vinton who took two years and six months.

To celebrate Bruno’s accomplishment, I thought we’d take a trip down memory lane and ask our readers which Mars’ No. 1 hit is their favorite. For me it’s hands down “Grenade”, with “Locked Out of Heaven” steadily gaining favor. The Police knock-off is pretty damn catchy ;) Cast your vote below and check out his vids after that.

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check out his videos after the jump

Yesterday (Friday), Katy Perry was honored at an event in New York with the title of Billboard Woman of the Year for 2012.

As you can see, Perry looks stunning as she graces the cover of the December issue of Billboard. In an interview with the magazine, Perry explains how she was totally caught off guard by this and how grateful she is. “I’d thought my year was over, that it was time to pass the baton. But I guess I get to hold onto it until the end of the year. It’s truly a lovely compliment.” I think she was a great choice for this honor, considering her record-breaking success coupled with her ability to inspire and remain so down to earth.

At last night’s event, she explained, “I am not a feminist, but I do believe in the strength of women.” She added, “I don’t really like to call myself a role model for my fans. I hope that I am an inspiration for them, especially young women. My mantra, especially for the ['Part Of Me'] film, was: If you believe in yourself, you can be anything.”

watch a video of Katy talking about the honor after the jump

If her year hadn’t been successful enough already, Canada’s own Carly Rae Jepsen has just been named Billboard’s “Rising Star” Of 2012. The singer/songwriter will be presented with the award at the Billboard Women in Music event on November 30 in New York City. What a whirlwind of a year!

“As a singer-songwriter having grown up listening to and being influenced by countless female artists, I am truly honored to be recognized by Billboard with this award,” says the “Call Me Maybe” singer in a statement. “I hope to inspire others through my music the way those artists have inspired me.”

The Billboard Editorial Director, Bill Werde explained why she was the right choice for this honor, saying, “Carly Rae Jepsen’s infectious debut single has become nothing short of a pop culture phenomenon, leading to unprecedented viral fanfare. Few artists have achieved this level of success this early in a career. We are thrilled to honor her extraordinary U.S. debut, and we look forward to seeing where she goes next.”

Find out who has received this honor in the past after the jump…

Mariah Carey has 15. Kristine W has 16 under her belt. Beyonce and Rihanna are tied with 18. Even Janet Jackson who’s the closest, only has 19 to her name. With her current single, “Turn Up The Radio“, Madonna notches her record 43rd No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club chart, further extending her lead on her dance compatriots. The 54-year-old singer may not be relevant on radio anymore, but she’s still able to pack them to the dance floor. She’s definitely the undisputed dance queen.

If Madonna scores another chart topper on the Dance Club chart, it would bring her total to 44 No. 1s. That would place her in a tie with George Strait as having the most toppers on ANY single Billboard chart. The country singer has 44 titles, dating back to 1981 all the way to 2009. With just two more dance hits, Madge could be the Queen of the Billboard charts. How many of the Material Girl’s 43 dance hits do you remember? Check out all of them below, beginning with her first club hit “Holiday”/”Lucky Star” from September 1983.

a list of all of Madonna’s club hits after the jump

Looks like Carly Rae Jepsen’s phone is still ringing off the hook. Her infectious hit, “Call Me Maybe“, notches a ninth week atop the Billboard Hot 100. It now has surpassed Gotye’s “Somebody I Used To Know” as the longest running No. 1 of 2012. Congrats to the Canuck cutie. I’m sure Jepsen is hoping to score more hits from her recently announced debut album, “Kiss“, scheduled to hit stores on September 18.

Gotye shouldn’t feel too badly about losing the crown. The Australian singer still tops Jepsen with regards to digital download sales. “Somebody I Used To Know” is the first track to pass the 6 million benchmark in 2012. Meanwhile, “Call Me Maybe” passes the 5 million mark at 5.019 million becoming the third best-selling track of the year so far. Just in case you were wondering, at No. 2 is “We Are Young” by fun. featuring Janelle Monae at 5.381 million.

Phillip Phillips, Ellie Goulding and more after the jump

Ever since Beyonce named Frank Ocean’s “Novacane” as one of her ten favorite tracks of 2011, I’ve been a fan of his. Then, when he came out of the closet, I admired him even more. While declaring your homosexuality in Hollywood is the norm these days, doing it in the R&B/Hip-Hop world is unheard of. So major props for his courage.

With the media attention mostly focusing on Ocean’s sexuality, it’s great to see people haven’t forgotten about his music. The 24-year-old singer notched an impressive first week sales with his debut album, “channel ORANGE“. His CD was released a week early on iTunes to take advantage of the press, and it looks like the gamble paid off. “channel Orange” bowed with 131,000 copies moved. The number falls in line with recent urban debuts by established artists. Usher’s “Looking 4 Myself” and Chris Brown’s “Fortune” entered the Billboard 200 with 128,000 and 135,000 units sold respectively.

As solid as Frank Ocean’s numbers are, he was only able to land at No. 2 on Billboard. Georgia’s Zac Brown Band topped the Billboard 200 with 234,000 in sales with their third studio album, “Uncaged“. That number represents the biggest bow for the group. I’m sure their special $3.99 price tag on Amazon helped buoy the sales.

find out Adele’s latest accomplishment after the jump