Billboard 200: Kendrick Lamar Takes ‘DAMN.’ to no. 1

The Billboard 200 belongs to Kendrick Lamar this week as the Compton rapper takes his latest album, ‘DAMN.’ to no. 1. 

As expected, Kendrick Lamar debuts at no. 1 on the Billboard 200 with DAMN.  The numbers are robust – the best numbers Lamar has posted up until this point in his career.  DAMN. moved 603,000 units, with nearly 59% of that total being traditional sales.  While 59% seems underwhelming, consider 603,000 units overall.  According to Billboard, DAMN. sold 353,000 copies. Awesome to say the least.

While Kendrick Lamar is the clear winner on this week’s chart, John Mayer gets in on the action as well.  His relatively quiet rollout for The Search for Everything still bodes well in his favor.  The Search for Everything was released in two four-song EPs before the entire album materialized on April 14, 2017.  While Mayer didn’t come close to approaching Lamar’s numbers, he moved a respectable 132,000 units.  Most of those units, a healthy 91%, were pure sales.

Besides Kendrick Lamar and John Mayer, only one other new album appears in the top 10.  That belongs to The Fate of the Furious: The Album, which starts at no. 10 moving 37,000 units.  Unfortunately for the compilation, only 42% of that total is comprised of pure sales.  Even with 37,000 units, seems like few show much interest in the music accompanying the film.

The rest of the top 10 is familiar.  Drake (More Life) and Ed Sheeran (÷) remain powerful near the top behind Kendrick Lamar and John Mayer.  No surprises there.  The Chainsmokers suffer as Memories…Do Not Open slides from a robust start at no. 1 to no. 5 this week.  To quote Chicago, “[They] had it coming.” Down the line, Moana, Bruno Mars (24K Magic), Beauty and the Beast, and Future (Future) remain firmly planted in the top 10.

Who’s got next on the Billboard 200? More Kendrick Lamar wouldn’t be surprising given the numbers DAMN. posted this week.  As far as key new releases, it’s hard to pinpoint a surefire winner.  The names are notable: Brad Paisley (Love and War), Incubus (8), and Sheryl Crow (Be Myself).  Furthermore, throw rising star blackbear (digital druglord) into the conversation.  That said, can any of those releases put up robust numbers? Can they unseat Kendrick Lamar?

Photo Credit: Interscope