By Jia Lissa 
The prolific Australian psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard has achieved a significant milestone in their career, marking their first-ever entry onto the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart. This landmark achievement comes after a prolific career spanning 28 studio albums and a consistent dedication to exploring diverse musical landscapes. Their debut on the chart is a direct result of their guest appearance on the track "Flower in a Hurricane," a collaboration with French electronic music duo Justice, which also features the acclaimed artists Tame Impala and SZA.
A Collaborative Breakthrough on the Grand Theft Auto VI Soundtrack
"Flower in a Hurricane" officially entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 62 on the chart dated October 31. The song’s impressive debut was fueled by a robust performance in terms of U.S. official streams, accumulating 4.6 million in the tracking week of October 16-22. It also garnered 1 million in radio airplay audience impressions and registered 1,000 in U.S. sales during the same period, according to data compiled by Luminate.
This particular track holds a significant place within the broader context of the highly anticipated video game Grand Theft Auto VI. "Flower in a Hurricane" is the ninth single to be released from Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, the expansive 34-song soundtrack accompanying the game, which is slated for a November 19 release. Notably, the song was chosen to underscore the entirety of the game’s launch trailer, a distinct honor that sets it apart from other previews that often feature snippets of multiple songs. The release of "Flower in a Hurricane" coincided with the announcement that Justice will be responsible for composing the entire musical score for Grand Theft Auto VI, a testament to their artistic influence and the game’s ambitious sonic vision.
The Grand Theft Auto VI soundtrack has already demonstrated its chart-topping potential, with "Flower in a Hurricane" being the third song from the album to chart on the Hot 100. Prior to this, Morgan Wallen’s "Last Thing You Need" reached a peak of number 9, and Travis Scott’s "Rhyno" charted at number 84. Both of these tracks debuted on the chart dated October 3. The soundtrack project has also seen the release of singles from a diverse array of artists, including Cardi B, Fuerza Regida, and Rauw Alejandro, curated by Rockstar Games and Atlantic Records, highlighting the extensive musical scope of the Grand Theft Auto VI experience.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: A Legacy of Prolific Output and Genre Fluidity
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 2010, has carved out a unique niche in the music industry through its relentless creative output and its remarkable ability to traverse a wide spectrum of musical genres. The band’s discography is characterized by its sheer volume, with 28 studio albums released to date. Their sonic explorations have encompassed a broad range, from the foundational elements of psychedelic rock and progressive rock to the raw power of heavy metal, the intricate improvisations of jazz fusion, and the pulsating rhythms of techno and electronic music. Their prolific nature was particularly evident in 2022, when they released an astounding five full-length albums.
The band’s most recent studio album, Alien Metal, released in August, represents their most ambitious dive into dance music to date. In a significant departure from their guitar-centric sound, the members of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard embraced a custom-built Eurorack modular synthesizer, affectionately nicknamed "Nathan." This unique instrument is played simultaneously by all six members, creating a cohesive and experimental sonic tapestry. In an August interview with Billboard, frontman Stu Mackenzie elaborated on the band’s sonic evolution, noting the perceived parallels between their heavy metal explorations and the hypnotic, repetitive nature of techno and krautrock. He suggested that a subtle, yet discernible, thread of connection exists between King Gizzard’s diverse output and the realm of dance music, indicating that their foray into this genre is a natural progression rather than a radical departure.
Chart History and Commercial Acumen
Prior to their breakthrough on the Billboard Hot 100, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard had already established a presence on Billboard’s album charts. The band has charted six albums on the Billboard 200: Flying Microtonal Banana (peaking at No. 170 in 2017), Murder of the Universe (No. 106 in 2017), Infest the Rats’ Nest (No. 64 in 2019), PetroDragonic Apocalypse (No. 85 in 2023), Flight b741 (No. 118 in 2024), and Phantom Island (No. 85 in 2025).
Beyond traditional album sales, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard has demonstrated a particularly strong commercial appeal in niche markets. They have logged an impressive 25 titles on the Top Album Sales chart, with five of those reaching the top 10. Their success is even more pronounced on the Vinyl Albums chart, where they have accumulated 21 entries, including 12 top 10 finishes and four No. 1 albums. This indicates a dedicated and engaged fanbase that actively supports the band’s physical releases, particularly on vinyl.
Collaborative Success and Chart Performance of Featured Artists
The inclusion of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard on "Flower in a Hurricane" also marks a significant chart moment for the other featured artists. For Justice, this is their second appearance on the Billboard Hot 100. Their previous entry was as a guest on The Weeknd’s track "Wake Me Up," which peaked at number 45 in 2025.
Tame Impala, led by Kevin Parker, now boasts four entries on the Hot 100 with "Flower in a Hurricane." Their previous chart successes include "Dracula" (No. 5 peak), "Loser" (No. 18), and "My Old Ways" (No. 56), all charting in the 2025-2026 period. This consistent presence underscores Tame Impala’s enduring popularity and their ability to connect with a mainstream audience.
SZA, a dominant force in contemporary R&B and pop, sees "Flower in a Hurricane" as her 62nd career entry on the Hot 100, a testament to her prolific output and consistent chart relevance.
Justice and Tame Impala have a history of successful collaborations. They previously joined forces on "One Night/All Night" and "Neverender," both featured on Justice’s 2024 album Hyperdrama. This album achieved significant acclaim, spending a week at No. 1 on the Top Dance Albums chart and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album. "Neverender" further solidified their artistic partnership by winning the Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Recording.
Broader Chart Impact and Sonic Influences
"Flower in a Hurricane" is not only making waves on the Hot 100 but is also making a strong showing on other Billboard charts, signaling its broad appeal across different genres. The song debuts at No. 2 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, No. 13 on the Hot Alternative Songs chart, and No. 21 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. Its rapid ascent on alternative radio is also noteworthy, opening at No. 39 on Alternative Airplay, marking King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s first-ever appearance on a radio chart.
A notable observation regarding the track is its opening riff, which bears a striking resemblance to the iconic riff from Dire Straits’ 1985 chart-topping hit "Money for Nothing." This sonic connection likely contributes to the song’s immediate familiarity and appeal to a wide range of listeners, bridging generational gaps in musical appreciation.
The Future of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s entry onto the Billboard Hot 100, after years of consistent output and dedicated fan engagement, represents a significant moment in their career. Their ability to achieve this milestone through a collaborative effort, rather than a solo release, highlights the evolving landscape of music consumption and the power of cross-genre partnerships. As they continue to push creative boundaries and explore new sonic territories, their journey on the Billboard charts is likely to be one to watch, demonstrating that prolific artistic output and a commitment to musical innovation can indeed lead to mainstream recognition. The band’s consistent presence on album sales charts, particularly in the vinyl market, alongside this new Hot 100 achievement, paints a picture of an artist that resonates deeply with a core fanbase while also finding avenues to reach a broader audience.
