Billboard
Playboi Carti captures his second No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, as his latest studio project, MUSIC, debuts atop the tally dated March 29. The set debuts with 298,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending March 20, according to Luminate. That marks the biggest week of 2025 for a rap album. It also arrives with the biggest streaming week for a rap set since 2023.
Playboi Carti previously topped the chart with his last release, Whole Lotta Red, which debuted atop the ranking dated Jan. 9, 2021. MUSIC is the artist’s third top 10-charting set, as he previously visited the region with 2018’s Die Lit, which reached No. 3.
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Also in the top 10 of the new Billboard 200, LE SSERAFIM collects its fourth top 10-charting project, as 5th Mini Album HOT debuts at No. 9.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new March 29, 2025-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on March 25. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
Of MUSIC’s 298,000 first-week equivalent album units, SEA units comprise 283,000 (equaling 284 million on-demand official streams of the 30 songs on the streaming edition of the album; it debuts at No. 1 on the Top Streaming Albums chart), album sales comprise 14,500 (it debuts at No. 3 on Top Album Sales) and TEA units comprise 500.
With 298,000 units earned in its first week, MUSIC lands the biggest week in 2025 for a rap album, and the second largest overall among all albums — only the debut of The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow was bigger so far this year, when it launched with 490,000 units (Feb. 15 chart). Further, as MUSIC’s songs tallied 384 million on-demand official streams combined, that marks the biggest streaming week for any album in nearly a year, since Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department collected 428.54 million clicks for its songs in its second week (May 11, 2024, chart). MUSIC nets the largest streaming week for any rap album since Drake’s For All the Dogs debuted with 514.01 million (Oct. 21, 2023, chart).
MUSIC was officially announced on Sept. 12, 2024, and went up for pre-order the same day. However, the set’s March 14 release date wasn’t announced until just two days before its arrival (March 12).
MUSIC debuts on the Billboard 200 largely from streaming activity, as it was available to purchase only as a digital download — as a widely available standard 30-song set, as well as three variants exclusive to the artist’s official webstore (the variants each have between one or two bonus tracks).
MUSIC will be issued on CD (across at least eight variants available to pre-order in his webstore) in the coming weeks. The album will also profit in the future from sales generated by an array of deluxe boxed sets (containing branded merch and a CD) that have been available to pre-order on his webstore since last September.
Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM falls to No. 2 in its second week on the Billboard 200, earning 74,000 equivalent album units (down 66%). The next six titles on the list are all former No. 1s. Kendrick Lamar’s GNX drops 2-3 (71,000; down 13%), PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U dips 3-4 (66,000; down 15%), SZA’s SOS slips 4-5 (62,000; down 9%), Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet is steady at No. 6 (57,000; down 7%), Tate McRae’s So Close To What falls 5-7 (52,000; down 18%) and Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos is a non-mover at No. 8 (50,000; down 4%).
LE SSERAFIM collects its fourth top 10-charting effort on the Billboard 200 as 5th Mini Album HOT starts at No. 9 with 45,500 equivalent album units earned. Of that sum, album sales comprise 38,500 (it debuts at No. 1 on Top Album Sales), SEA units comprise 7,000 (equaling 9.42 million on-demand streams of the five songs on the streaming edition of the album) and TEA units comprise a negligible sum. Sales of the set were bolstered by its availability across more than 20 CD variants (all containing collectible paper ephemera, some randomized).
Rounding out the top 10 of the latest Billboard 200 is Morgan Wallen’s former No. 1 One Thing at a Time, which falls 9-10 with 42,000 equivalent album units earned (down 3%).
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.
Fans at Rolling Loud react and share their thoughts on our honoree line up for 2025 Billboard’s Women in Music.
Tetris Kelly
Hanging out at Rolling Loud, talking about some of our favorite women in music. How do you feel about our girl, Tyla? Oh, I love Tyla. I mean, come on, what song gets you going?
Fans
Of course, she goes in on “Water,” but we have the same birthday.
Tetris Kelly
What?
Fans
Aquarius Queen her and I are locked in. We go way back, to be honest The baddest b*tch alive right there. Tyla, I love you like I’m Indian so like half Indian represent.
Tetris Kelly
Why do we think like her glow up happens so big?
Fans
I think the dancing probably like the “Water,” the “Water” dance with like the…
Tetris Kelly
How do you feel about Jennie? Because everybody trying to be like Jennie.
Fans
She’s cutie patootie Jennie, I was just spinning Jennie over here at the bunny’s beauty bar. I love Jennie. I love BlackPink. I’m a Blink for life.
Tetris Kelly
And what do you think is so great about Jennie?
Fans
She’s just so, like, sweet every time I watch her. I mean, she’s just a great performer and person. And it’s just, I feel like I’m very much of an energy person. And I just feel that great energy off of Jennie. Everybody’s trying to be “Like Jennie.”
Tetris Kelly
We’re, celebrating our women in music event this month, and Gracie Abrams is being honored. Do you guys know her?
Fans
I love Gracie. I think she’s upcoming, she’s very independent. She did her sh*t this to herself. She never needed to feature anything. It’s just her herself. She’s raw. I love that. I think everyone loves her because she’s so emotional, for sure.
Watch the full video above!
j-hope kicks off his new era with two new tracks: “MONA LISA” and a collab with Miguel, “Sweet Dreams.” The BTS star explains why he wanted to work with Miguel, blending pop and R&B sounds and more in the latest Billboard News’ Music You Should Know. j-hope: “Mona Lisa” Person: He wants something cool and […]
Billboard’s Rookie of the Month John Morgan exclusively performs first his Country Airplay top 10-charting song “Friends Like That,” his brand-new single “Kid Myself” and more! John Morgan’s ‘Carolina Blue’ drops on April 25th. What do you think of the rising country star? Let us know in the chat! John Morgan: [Sings “Friends Like That”] […]
Rachel Zegler plays Finish the Lyrics Disney Edition to see if the latest Disney princess knows the lyrics for some iconic Disney songs.
Tetris Kelly:We’re gonna play a game, Finish the Lyrics, and it’s the Disney edition. We’re gonna start kind of easy. OK, we’ll see. We’ll see.
And now he’s dear, and so unsure.
Rachel Zegler:And now he’s dear, I’m so unsure, and maybe something there that wasn’t there before.
Tetris Kelly:Obviously, you sound good. I am gonna give you a slight correction. I’m gonna give you the point on that. But the actual following line to that is, I wonder why I didn’t see it there before.
Rachel Zegler:Oh, my bad.
Tetris Kelly:We’re on the right track, right?
Rachel Zegler:It’s actually crazy, because I did play that part in my school.
Tetris Kelly:Oh, did you?
Rachel Zegler:Yeah, I’ve done Belle twice, Ariel, Princess Fiona — which is not Disney. Wow, this is not my first princess rodeo.
Tetris Kelly:OK, let’s try another one. OK, I’ve had my adventure. I don’t need something new. I’m gonna help you out at my adventure. I don’t need something new. I’m afraid …
Rachel Zegler:Of what I’m risking if I follow you into the unknown.
Tetris Kelly:Good job, Rachel. All right, we’re gonna go. We’re gonna throw it back a little bit. OK, this one, I do believe, is hard — unbelievable sights, indescribable feelings,
Rachel Zegler:Soaring, tumbling, free wheeling. You know, it’s my parents wedding song.
Tetris Kelly:You’re kidding me. Oh, my God, you’ve been a Disney adult all your life.
Watch the full video above!
Cameron Brink shares what Tyler, the Creator DM’ed her, Ben Stiller is inviting Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift to a courtside Knicks game and more! Keep watching for the latest news in sports and music! Tetris Kelly: Gelo continues his come-up, Ben Stiller invites Taylor Swift to a Knicks game, and Cameron Brink reveals what […]
The Grateful Dead left behind a legacy that continues to thrive through its devoted fanbase, the Deadheads. In this documentary, we explore the band’s career trajectory, its influence in reshaping modern concerts and fandoms and the enduring impact of its legacy.
Keep watching for an in-depth analysis as to how the Grateful Dead impacted the music industry.
Are you a Deadhead? Let us know in the comments below!
Diplo:The fandoms of today are very temporary.
Hanson:The Grateful Dead invented the modern concert as we know it.
Eric Renner Brown:There are going to be some differences between Grateful Dead and Swifties. I think that there is a fundamental similarity in terms of how they helped have a roadmap for what does a hyper-engaged fandom look like.
Romeo Okwara:They’re the most loyal fan base in all of music.
Diplo:They kind of invented the idea of a fandom.
Narrator:Formed in Palo Alto, 1965, the Grateful Dead are one of the most popular and influential bands in American history, known for their improvisational approach to music and fusing rock, folk, soul, blues and jazz. They were the original jam band and paved the way for others in music.
Katie Bain:The Grateful Dead are the fathers of psychedelic culture. They are a touchstone for many generations of music fans. They’ve influenced countless artists. They have created really a culture unto their own, and they’ve made a ton of good music, while doing it.
Narrator:With songs like “Truckin’,” “Touch of Grey” and “Friend of the Devil,” the Grateful Dead captured audiences with their lyrics and visuals to match.
Eric Renner Brown:First and foremost, the thing about this band is the songbook. The majority of their repertoire was Jerry Garcia wrote the songs with the lyricist Robert Hunter, who’s like a visionary in his own right. Their songs stand toe to toe with any of the great songwriters of the 20th century.
Keep watching for more!
We caught up with Muni Long, Becky G, JoJo Siwa and so many more on iHeartRadio’s red carpet to see who they’re most excited to see at Billboard Women in Music next Saturday, March 29.
Who are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below!
Becky G:I mean, Doechii’s one of my favorite artists. I adore her.
James Charles:I’m a really big GloRilla fan right now.
Muni Long: Billboard Women in Music has been a goal of mine.
Becky G:I’m so happy for her. We actually funny enough, the year that I won the Impact Award, we were sharing a dressing room.
Tetris Kelly:Stop it.
Becky G:She was, she was performing, and I was receiving my Impact Award, and also performing and there, if you know, backstage, there’s not a lot of dressing rooms, and so we were like, musical chairs in there. And she’s just adorable.
Dara Reneé:I love Doechii so much. I’m such a fan of hers, like, I literally get so starstruck.
Dasha:Doechii is, like, one of my favorites. I haven’t met her, but I’m just such a fan. Her acceptance speech at the Grammys made me sob. Sob! Women at Billboard. Let’s go!
James Charles:Let me tell you. Like, b—h, I’m from Memphis, what you know about me? Big G-L-O in that GLE. I’m excited. I can’t wait.
Shinedown:I’m from Memphis, man, so, GloRilla that’s my girl.
Tetris Kelly: He said, “Yeah Glo!”
Shinedown:I’m 901 forever, man. I love that. I love it. I love that she’s out there doing it. That’s a big thing for Memphis, Tenn., too.
Tetris Kelly:Heck yeah.
BigXthaPlug:I got some stuff planned with GloRilla I’m hoping to get in there with her so.
Inayah:Muni Long can sing down, baby.
Tetris Kelly:Down.
Keep watching for more!
After Playboi Carti dropped his new ‘MUSIC’ album, Ye went on X to call out both Playboi Carti and Kendrick Lamar. Keep watching for the full story. What do you think of Ye’s latest rant? Let us know in the comments below! Playboi Carti is snapping back at Ye’s latest series of hate-speech and conspiracy-theory-fueled […]
With Billboard Women in Music just around the corner, we took to the streets of Los Angeles to find out from fans who their favorite powerful woman in the music industry is and why. From Rihanna to Mariah Carey, we find out who the public loves! Who do you think is a powerful woman in […]