Deaf News: American rapper Sean Forbes becomes first deaf person to enter Billboard charts

A hip-hop artist from Michigan has had more than Little Victories this week, with his latest album entering the Billboard music charts in the United States – making him the first deaf musician to make the list.

Sean Forbes, who released the record on Friday, came in at #93 for top album sales and at #59 for top current album sales on the list, which tracks the most popular songs and albums in the US each week.

In a series of videos on Twitter announcing the news, Sean said: “I wanted to thank you for helping Little Victories reach the top of the charts. It would not be possible without you.

“All of your support, the videos that were made, the posts that were shared [and] liked, and the words that were spread. It’s truly appreciated, thank you.

He went on to add: “Words can’t express how I feel right now. It’s not something that I imagined when we put this record out.

“I just wanted to put out music because I love making music, so your support – your continued support – is always appreciated.

“Let’s keep it going! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Alongside its Billboard success, Little Victories has also hit the No. 1 hip-hop album spot on iTunes and Amazon, surpassing fellow Detroit rappers Eminem and Royce da 5’9”.

The campaign to get Sean to the number one spot on the Billboard charts saw support from leading figures in the deaf community, with deaf activist and actor Nyle DiMarco calling on his Twitter followers to “make history” and “spread the word”.

Elsewhere, deaf actress Marlee Matlin said in a video: “Support, support, support our deaf musician – actually, deaf talent of all kinds.”

Little Victories is available to stream and download now on Spotify, Amazon and iTunes. More information about Sean can be found on his website, deafandloud.com.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and blogger from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.