The Weeknd’s ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 With Record-Breaking Sales
The Weeknd’s highly anticipated album Hurry Up Tomorrow has stormed onto the Billboard 200 chart, debuting at No. 1 with an impressive 490,500 equivalent album units sold in its first week. Falling just short of gold certification, the album is already a commercial triumph and marks the largest debut for any album since Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department in May 2024, which moved 2.6 million units in its first week.
For the R&B/hip-hop genre, Hurry Up Tomorrow also set a major milestone, surpassing first-week sales for nearly every album in recent years except Travis Scott’s Utopia, which earned 496,000 units in August 2023. This debut also far outpaces The Weeknd’s 2022 project Dawn FM, which opened with 148,000 units and peaked at No. 2.
Praise from Fellow Artists
The Weeknd’s ability to dominate both charts and critical conversations has been underlined by praise from some of the industry’s top names. Metro Boomin took to social media shortly after the album’s release to heap acclaim on both The Weeknd and his collaborator Mike Dean.
“Only this n—a Abel could drop album of the year in January lmao,” Metro posted on X, followed by: “Mike Dean sitting high on that all-time producer/composer list for sure.”
Mike Dean’s contributions to the album are undeniable, with the legendary producer mixing and mastering the entire project and co-producing nearly every track. Metro Boomin himself lent his talents to key songs like “Cry For Me,” “Given Up On Me,” and “The Abyss,” further showcasing the album’s star-studded production.
A Trilogy Completed
Hurry Up Tomorrow is the third and final chapter in The Weeknd’s trilogy of albums, following 2020’s After Hours and 2022’s Dawn FM. The 22-track LP, which includes two bonus songs, solidifies the trilogy’s legacy with its ambitious storytelling and lush production. Released after a brief delay due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, the album arrives with a bittersweet note as it is expected to be The Weeknd’s last release under his iconic stage name.
This sentiment is reinforced in the album’s closing track, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” which ends in a way that seamlessly connects with the opening notes of “High For This,” the first track from his 2011 debut mixtape House of Balloons. This deliberate connection brings his 14-year career full circle, creating a poignant farewell for longtime fans.
Critical and Cultural Impact
The release of Hurry Up Tomorrow wasn’t without challenges. The Weeknd delayed the album to support wildfire relief efforts, reportedly donating seven figures to aid affected communities. Despite these setbacks, the album has quickly become a defining moment in the singer’s career, with fans and critics praising its depth and cohesion.
The Weeknd’s continued dominance on the charts and his ability to craft emotionally resonant music underscores his place as one of the most influential artists of the last decade. If this is truly his swan song, Hurry Up Tomorrow is a fitting finale to an unparalleled run in contemporary music.
As fans revel in the beauty of this latest project, it’s clear that The Weeknd’s impact will resonate far beyond his final note.
