Britney’s “3″ is #1. The pop princess’ tawdry tale of triangle sex in the NC-rated single “3″ will debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this Thursday, y’all!

According to Billboard.com, Britney is the first artist in more than three years to debut in the top spot on the Billboard chart. In fact, the last single to earn the distinction was Taylor Hicks’ “Do I Make You Proud” back in July 2006.

The last time a single from a non-American Idol singer debuted at No. 1 was 1998, when Lauryn Hill took the top spot for “Doo Wop (That Thing). The song is the third Britney recording to top the Billboard Hot 100 –her 1999 debut “…Baby One More Time” and last year’s hit “Womanizer” also sailed to the top of the charts.