As Expected, Playboi Carti Secures the Top Spot on the Billboard Charts

Playboi Carti has once again proven his dominance in the rap game, securing his second number-one album on the Billboard 200 with I AM MUSIC. The highly anticipated project debuts at the top of the chart dated March 29, earning a staggering 298,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. for the week ending March 20, according to Luminate. This achievement marks the biggest debut for a rap album in 2025 and the most significant streaming week for a hip-hop release since 2023.

The Atlanta rapper previously reached number one with Whole Lotta Red, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 in 2021. With this latest success, I AM MUSIC also becomes Carti’s third top 10 album, following Die Lit, which peaked at number three in 2018.

I AM MUSIC’s Record-Breaking Performance

The 30-track album’s 298,000 first-week units are overwhelmingly driven by streaming, which accounts for 283,000 units, equivalent to 384 million on-demand official streams. That massive streaming total propels I AM MUSIC to number one on the Top Streaming Albums chart. Traditional album sales contribute 14,500 units, securing a number-three placement on Top Album Sales, while track-equivalent sales add another 500 units.

Not only does I AM MUSIC secure the biggest week for a rap album in 2025, but it also delivers the second-largest overall debut of the year. The only album to open with higher numbers is The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow, which moved 490,000 units upon its February 15 debut.

I AM MUSIC’s Streaming Milestones

The album records the strongest streaming week for any release in nearly a year, second only to Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, which amassed 428.54 million on-demand streams in its second week in May 2024. Among rap albums, I AM MUSIC delivers the biggest streaming week since Drake’s For All the Dogs, which opened with 514.01 million streams in October 2023.

Streaming activity largely fueled the album’s chart-topping debut, as it was initially available only as a digital download. The standard 30-track version was widely accessible, while three exclusive variants with bonus tracks were sold through Carti’s official webstore.

Star-Studded Collaborations Elevate I AM MUSIC

The album boasts an impressive lineup of collaborations with some of the biggest names in music. Kendrick Lamar makes three appearances on “Good Credit,” “Mojo Jojo,” and “Backd00r.” Other notable features include The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, Jhené Aiko, Skepta, and Ty Dolla Sign. The diverse array of guest appearances enhances the album’s dynamic sound, blending Carti’s experimental style with each artist’s unique flair.

With I AM MUSIC, Playboi Carti continues to push boundaries, cementing his place at the forefront of contemporary hip-hop. As fans eagerly dissect the project, speculation is already swirling about what’s next for the enigmatic rapper. Could OPIUM TWINS or Broken Heart 3 be on the horizon? Time will tell, but one thing is certain—Carti’s reign is far from over.