Tyler, The Creator has once again proven his influence in music with the release of Chromakopia, his latest album that debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album launched with impressive first-week sales of 299,500 equivalent units, according to Billboard.
Of this number, 157,000 units came from on-demand streams, totaling a remarkable 212.55 million streams, while album sales accounted for 142,000. The remaining 500 units were from TEA (track equivalent album) units. Chromakopia now holds the title of the second highest first-week rap album sales in 2024, trailing only behind Travis Scott’s Days Before Rodeo, which generated 361,000 units.
A Career-High Achievement
The album’s first-week numbers represent the biggest opening week of Tyler’s career, surpassing his previous chart-topping albums IGOR, which earned 165,000 units in its debut week, and Call Me If You Get Lost, which brought in 169,000. Notably, Chromakopia achieved this milestone despite being released on a Monday, rather than the traditional Friday release day, giving it a shorter tracking week.
A Critical Success
Alongside its commercial success, Chromakopia has been hailed by critics and fans alike. Tyler has been open about his creative process on the album, sharing unique insights and favorite moments from each of the 14 tracks. On X (formerly Twitter), he highlighted specific sounds and choices that defined the album, saying, “[A]t 1:54 of ST CHROMA, that siren and low end together feels like a blast wave after an explosion.”
He went on to describe parts of other tracks: “The ‘20 thousand on me…’ part of RAH TAH TAH, the delivery is from a dumb joke of mine but I couldn’t get it outta my head, why not record it.” Tyler continued by delving into the unique structure of JUDGE JUDY, calling it his favorite song for its “Tyler-coded” style, with “every sound I’ve always used.”
A Heartfelt Message to Fans
After sharing these details, Tyler wrapped up his thoughts with a message of gratitude to his listeners. “Thank you all for listening,” he wrote, underscoring the connection he maintains with fans who have followed him throughout his career.
With Chromakopia, Tyler has once again pushed the boundaries of his artistry, blending experimental sounds with introspective lyrics. His latest chart-topping achievement further cements his place as one of hip-hop’s most innovative creators.
