Kendrick Lamar’s GNX Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 with Major First-Week Sales
Kendrick Lamar continues to assert his dominance in the music industry with the surprise release of GNX, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart. The album not only became his sixth consecutive No. 1 album but also achieved the highest first-week sales for a rap album in 2024.
Record-Breaking First-Week Sales
According to Billboard, GNX amassed 319,000 equivalent album units in its first week. This total includes 285,000 units from streaming, which equates to an impressive 379.72 million on-demand streams. Digital album sales contributed 32,000 units, while track equivalent albums (TEA) accounted for 2,000 units.
This sales figure surpasses those of other major 2024 hip-hop releases, including Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia (299,500), Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady (281,000), and Future and Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You (251,000). The only artist to achieve higher sales this year is Travis Scott, whose reissued mixtape Days Before Rodeo opened with 361,000 units.
A Historic Addition to Kendrick’s Catalog
GNX now ranks as Kendrick’s third-largest album debut in terms of first-week sales, trailing only his 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning DAMN. (603,000) and 2015’s To Pimp a Butterfly (324,000). His previous album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022), debuted with 295,000 units, while his seminal 2012 debut good kid, m.A.A.d city achieved 242,000 units.
Initial projections for GNX estimated 291,000 units, but strong performance throughout the week pushed it to the final total of 319,000.
A Year to Remember for Kendrick Lamar
The chart-topping debut of GNX adds to an already monumental year for the Compton native. Over the summer, Kendrick cemented his legacy by coming out on top in a much-publicized feud with Drake. His diss track, “Not Like Us,” became the knockout blow, earning the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and breaking streaming records.
The song, produced by Mustard, has also sparked controversy, as Drake filed a legal complaint against Universal Music Group, accusing them of unethical practices to inflate Kendrick’s streaming numbers.
More Success on the Horizon
Kendrick’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Tracks like “Squabble Up” and “TV Off” from GNX are already strong contenders for the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, fans can look forward to a rumored deluxe edition of GNX, as teased by rapper Lefty Gunplay in recent interviews.
With GNX, Kendrick Lamar has once again proven his unparalleled artistry and commercial appeal. His ability to craft compelling narratives, push creative boundaries, and dominate charts solidifies his position as one of the greatest rappers of his generation. As the accolades pour in, it’s clear that Kendrick Lamar’s reign in hip-hop is far from over.
