Kendrick Lamar is proving yet again why he’s one of hip-hop’s most revered artists. His surprise album GNX has rocketed to the top of the Billboard 200, securing the highest first-week sales for a rap album in 2024. The Compton legend’s sixth consecutive number-one project debuted with an impressive 319,000 equivalent album units, surpassing industry heavyweights like Tyler, The Creator, Eminem, and Future.
The breakdown of GNX’s impressive performance highlights its widespread impact including 285,000 units from streaming, translating to a staggering 379.72 million on-demand streams. In addition to 32,000 units from digital album sales and 2,000 units through track equivalent albums (TEA).
This remarkable debut cements GNX as Kendrick’s third-best album launch, trailing only the monumental DAMN. (603,000 units) and the critically acclaimed To Pimp a Butterfly (324,000 units). It also surpasses the opening numbers of his previous album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (295,000), and his seminal debut good kid, m.A.A.d city (242,000).
Hip-Hop’s New 2024 Sales King
In a year stacked with massive hip-hop releases, GNX’s first-week numbers have solidified its dominance. The album eclipsed 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 rap project to post a higher one-week tally was Travis Scott’s Days Before Rodeo reissue, which moved 361,000 units in August.
A Summer To Remember As Kendrick’s Legacy Rises
The success of GNX caps a monumental year for Kendrick, punctuated by a much-publicized beef with Drake. The lyrical sparring reached its peak with “Not Like Us,” a Mustard-produced diss track that not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 but also became the best-selling song in the U.S. this year. Its impact has even sparked legal drama, with Drake accusing Universal Music Group of unethical practices to inflate the song’s success.
The buzz surrounding Kendrick’s dominance doesn’t stop there. GNX cuts like “Squabble Up” and “TV Off” are already vying for top spots on this week’s Hot 100, potentially extending the album’s chart-topping reign.
The Kendrick Effect
From breaking records to reigniting competitive rap, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX arrives as a real rap reminder to his unparalleled artistry and cultural relevance. As fans dissect the layers of his latest work, one thing is clear: Kendrick continues to set the bar, leaving an indelible mark on the rap game. Whether you’re here for the music, the drama, or the cultural shifts he inspires, GNX is undeniably one of the most significant moments in hip-hop this year. Stay tuned—this new era of Kendrick is just getting started.
