Taylor Swift's album 'Life of a Showgirl' debuts at number one on the Billboard 200 with over 4 million units sold in the first week, setting a new record for first-week sales, and all songs from the album occupy the top 12 spots on the Billboard Hot 100. Swift reflects on her journey from her debut album to this milestone, expressing gratitude to her fans for their support.
Cardi B's album 'AM I THE DRAMA?' debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 200,000 units, marking her second chart-topping album and the biggest week for an R&B/hip-hop album by a woman in 2025. Nine Inch Nails' soundtrack to TRON: Ares also enters the top 10 at No. 5, their first top 10 since 2013, while other albums like Morgan Wallen's and Sabrina Carpenter's hold steady in the top 10.
Justin Bieber's surprise album 'Swag' debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's 200, ending his streak of six consecutive No. 1 debuts, but still achieving a strong start with over 160,000 units driven mainly by streaming, marking his best streaming week and a notable comeback after a four-year hiatus and personal challenges.
The soundtrack for Netflix's animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters' debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Soundtracks chart, making it the highest debut of 2025 and the first Netflix show soundtrack to top the list in over two years, driven by strong streaming and sales.
Taylor Swift's album 'The Tortured Poets Department' returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a 16th nonconsecutive week, following the release of its deluxe 'Anthology' edition at Target, which significantly boosted its sales. The album earned 405,000 equivalent album units, marking the biggest week for any album since its second week. Meanwhile, Juice WRLD's 'The Party Never Ends' debuts at No. 4, and Bing Crosby's 'Ultimate Christmas' enters the top 10 for the first time in nearly 64 years.
K-pop sensation Twice discusses their new album 'Strategy,' which features a collaboration with rapper Megan Thee Stallion. The group, formed in 2015 by JYP Entertainment, has achieved significant global success, including topping the Billboard 200. As they approach their 10th anniversary, Twice reflects on their journey, aspirations to be part of music history, and the importance of health and personal time amidst their busy schedules.
Kendrick Lamar has announced a North American stadium tour with SZA in 2025 following the surprise release of his album "GNX," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The "Grand National Tour" will cover 19 stadiums from April to June 2025, with tickets available starting December 6. Lamar's album features several top-charting songs, including collaborations with SZA.
Kendrick Lamar's surprise album 'GNX' debuts at number one on the Billboard 200, marking his fifth consecutive chart-topping album. The album achieved 319,000 units in the U.S., largely driven by over 379 million on-demand streams. It ranks as the third-biggest streaming week for an R&B/hip-hop album in 2024. Meanwhile, the 'Wicked' soundtrack debuts at number two with 139,000 units, setting a record for a big-screen adaptation of a stage musical. Lamar will headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February.
Kendrick Lamar's surprise album 'GNX' debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking his fifth consecutive chart-topping release. The album achieved 319,000 equivalent album units in its first week, driven largely by streaming, making it the third-biggest streaming week of 2024. Meanwhile, the 'Wicked' movie soundtrack debuts at No. 2, setting a record for the highest debut by a big-screen adaptation of a stage musical.
For the first time in eight years, two albums have surpassed 300,000 equivalent album units in a single week in the U.S. Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" earned 378,000 units, while Billie Eilish's "Hit Me Hard and Soft" debuted with 339,000 units on the Billboard 200 chart.
Taylor Swift's album "Tortured Poets Department" remains at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for the fifth consecutive week, surpassing Billie Eilish's new album "Hit Me Hard and Soft," which debuted at No. 2. Eilish recently faced backlash from Swift fans over comments on sustainability in the music industry, which some interpreted as a critique of Swift. Eilish clarified her stance, emphasizing industry-wide issues and her own efforts towards sustainable practices.
Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" continues to dominate the Billboard 200 album chart for the fifth consecutive week, earning 378,000 equivalent album units. Billie Eilish's "Hit Me Hard and Soft" debuts at number 2 with 339,000 units, marking her best week on the charts.
Taylor Swift faces criticism for releasing three new editions of her album "The Tortured Poets Department" on the same day as Billie Eilish's new album release, with some calling her actions "desperate" to maintain her No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Fans and critics are divided, with some defending Swift's marketing strategy and others accusing her of overshadowing Eilish. Eilish had previously criticized the practice of releasing multiple album versions to boost sales, though she later clarified her comments were not aimed at any specific artist.
Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift are in a close race for the No. 1 spot on next week's Billboard 200 chart, with Eilish's new album "Hit Me Hard and Soft" challenging Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department." The competition has intensified fan rivalries and digital marketing tactics, with both artists leveraging various strategies to boost their album sales.
Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" holds the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for a second week, while J. Cole's "Might Delete Later" debuts at No. 2. Tomorrow X Together's "Minisode 3: Tomorrow" opens at No. 3. Hozier's "Too Sweet" and Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things" also make moves on the Hot 100 chart.
