Nicki Minaj has once again seized the throne on the Billboard 200, debuting at an impressive No. 1 with her latest masterpiece, ‘Pink Friday 2.’ The album’s resounding success is reflected in its first-week performance, amassing a staggering 228,000 equivalent album units.
A Multifaceted Triumph: Streaming, Sales, and Vinyl
Breaking down the numbers, ‘Pink Friday 2’ achieved a remarkable 129,000 in streaming equivalent album units, fueled by a colossal 169.87 million on-demand official streams of the 22 songs featured on the streaming edition. Complementing this digital triumph, the album garnered 92,000 in album sales, accompanied by an additional 7,000 in track equivalent album units.
Setting Records and Shattering Expectations
Notably, this accomplishment etches ‘Pink Friday 2’ into the annals of music history, marking the largest week for a female rap album in the 2020s and establishing a new record for a female R&B/hip-hop album in 2023. The 25,000 vinyl copies sold contribute to another milestone, signifying the largest week for a female rap album since the inception of electronic tracking in 1991.
Nicki Minaj: A Trailblazer Across Decades
This triumph solidifies Nicki Minaj’s status as a chart-topping sensation, securing her third No. 1 effort after ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ in 2012 and ‘Pink Friday’ in 2011. In doing so, Minaj surpasses Foxy Brown, becoming the female rapper with the most No. 1 albums. Notably, she stands alone as the first and only female rapper to achieve chart-topping albums in different decades.
New Entries and Noteworthy Performances
In the midst of Minaj’s dominance, the Billboard 200 sees another notable entry: Tate McRae’s ‘Think Later,’ making a strong debut at No. 4 with 66,000 equivalent album units. Meanwhile, chart regulars Taylor Swift, Drake, and Michael Bublé hold their ground at Nos. 1, 3, and 5, respectively.
