Playboi Carti has reached a significant milestone as his latest album "Music" tops the Billboard 200, marking his second Number One record. The Atlanta-based artist achieved this success through an impressive debut of 298,000 album equivalent units in the U.S., driven primarily by streaming figures. This achievement not only highlights Carti's growing commercial influence but also sets a new benchmark for streaming performance. Additionally, "Music" surpasses the initial sales of his previous chart-topping album "Whole Lotta Red," further solidifying his position in the music industry. Meanwhile, other albums like Lady Gaga’s "Mayhem" and Kendrick Lamar’s "GNX" occupy lower positions on the chart.

Achieving Streaming Supremacy

Carti's "Music" set a remarkable precedent with its streaming numbers, accumulating 384 million on-demand official streams, making it the most streamed album in nearly a year. This achievement underscores the immense anticipation surrounding the release and the album's appeal to a wide audience.

Through the power of digital platforms, "Music" garnered 283,000 units from streams alone, contributing significantly to its overall debut performance. Taylor Swift’s "The Tortured Poet’s Department" previously held the top spot for streaming records, achieving 428.54 million streams in May 2024. However, Carti's work now stands out as one of the most-streamed albums recently, showcasing the evolution of streaming habits among listeners and highlighting Carti's ability to capture attention globally. The album’s 30 tracks collectively contributed to this streaming success, reflecting both variety and popularity.

Commercial Success and Industry Recognition

Beyond streaming dominance, "Music" marks another peak in Playboi Carti’s career by exceeding the first-week unit sales of his prior hit "Whole Lotta Red." With over 298,000 units sold, the album demonstrates substantial growth in fan engagement and market reach compared to earlier releases.

This achievement adds to Carti's already notable accomplishments; his debut album "Die Lit" reached Number Three on the charts and was certified gold, while "Whole Lotta Red" also earned gold certification shortly after its release in early 2021. The prolonged anticipation for "Music," fueled by singles released throughout 2023 and teased lyrics referencing the album's arrival, played a crucial role in its success. Pre-orders initiated last September ensured steady interest leading up to the March deadline, culminating in a triumphant release just two days past the projected timeline. As "Music" dethrones Lady Gaga’s "Mayhem" and precedes other strong contenders like Kendrick Lamar’s "GNX," it signifies Carti's continued impact on contemporary music trends.