In a remarkable achievement, Playboi Carti has secured his second number one position on the Billboard 200 albums chart. His latest release, MUSIC, made its debut at the top of the March 29-dated ranking. This album garnered an impressive 298,000 equivalent album units in its first week in the U.S., marking the most successful week for any rap album in 2025. Additionally, it boasts the highest streaming figures for a rap project since 2023. Previously, Carti topped the charts with Whole Lotta Red in January 2021, and he also reached the top ten with Die Lit in 2018. Meanwhile, LE SSERAFIM's fifth mini-album, HOT, entered the charts at number nine, further enriching the vibrant landscape of contemporary music.
Debut Success of 'MUSIC' Driven by Streaming
In the vibrant autumn season of the music industry, Playboi Carti unveiled MUSIC, capturing the hearts of fans across the globe. Announced on September 12, 2024, this album was initially available only as a digital download, featuring a comprehensive 30-track lineup along with exclusive variants offered through Carti’s official webstore. The unexpected release date, announced just two days prior, added to the excitement surrounding the album. A significant portion of its success stems from streaming, contributing a staggering 283,000 SEA units, accompanied by 14,500 in album sales. The album's songs collectively streamed over 284 million times, making it the largest streaming week for any rap album since Drake's For All the Dogs in October 2023. Despite being primarily available digitally, MUSIC will soon be released on CD, with various deluxe boxed sets planned for pre-order.
Simultaneously, other notable entries in the Billboard 200 include Lady Gaga's MAYHEM, Kendrick Lamar's GNX, and SZA's SOS among others. LE SSERAFIM's HOT debuted at number nine, driven by robust physical sales, showcasing the group's enduring popularity. Morgan Wallen's One Thing at a Time rounded out the top ten, maintaining steady performance despite a slight decline in weekly units.
Luminate, responsible for authenticating data used in Billboard's rankings, ensures that all submitted information undergoes rigorous review. Suspicious or unverifiable data is removed according to established criteria, guaranteeing the integrity of each chart's final calculations.
From a journalistic perspective, Playboi Carti's success with MUSIC underscores the evolving dynamics of music consumption in the digital age. It highlights the power of streaming platforms in shaping modern music trends and how artists can leverage surprise releases to captivate their audience. As the music industry continues to transform, such achievements serve as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of artists in reaching new heights. This era of rapid change challenges both creators and listeners to embrace innovation while honoring the rich traditions of music-making.