Kendrick Lamar’s GNX Dominates Billboard 200 With Record-Breaking Sales

Kendrick Lamar’s GNX Dominates Billboard 200 With Record-Breaking Sales

Kendrick Lamar has solidified his reign in the rap world as his latest album, GNX, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with the biggest first-week sales of any new hip hop album this year.

According to Billboard, the surprise release amassed 319,000 equivalent album units in its first week, marking Kendrick’s sixth consecutive chart-topping album. Streaming accounted for a massive 285,000 units, translating to 379.72 million on-demand streams, while digital album sales added 32,000 units. The final 2,000 units were from track-equivalent album (TEA) sales.

GNX outperformed other major hip hop releases in 2024, surpassing Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia (299,500 units), Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady (281,000), and Future and Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You (251,000). The only project to top Kendrick’s first-week sales this year is Travis Scott’s Days Before Rodeo, which garnered 361,000 units upon its streaming debut in August.

Within Kendrick’s illustrious catalog, GNX ranks as his third biggest debut, trailing DAMN. (603,000) and To Pimp a Butterfly (324,000). His 2022 release, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, opened with 295,000 units, while his breakout album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, debuted with 242,000 units in 2012.

Initial projections for GNX estimated 291,000 units in its first week, but the album exceeded expectations with a final tally between 310,000 and 325,000 units. This achievement caps a remarkable year for Kendrick, who not only reaffirmed his dominance in hip hop but also emerged victorious in a widely publicized feud with Drake.

The centerpiece of Kendrick’s diss campaign was the chart-smashing single “Not Like Us.” Produced by Mustard, the track topped the Billboard Hot 100, broke multiple streaming records, and became the best-selling song in the U.S. in 2024. The song’s impact has even led to a legal battle between Drake and Universal Music Group, with the rapper accusing the label of manipulating streams and leveraging payola to inflate “Not Like Us” numbers.

Kendrick’s momentum shows no signs of slowing, as GNX tracks “Squabble Up” and “TV Off” are strong contenders for the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, further cementing his legacy as one of hip hop’s greatest artists.

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