Kendrick Lamar has once again captured the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart with his latest album, GNX, which made an unexpected debut at No. 1 on the chart dated December 7, 2024. Released without prior announcement on November 22, the album has already become one of the biggest music releases of the year, amassing 319,000 equivalent album units in its first week, according to data from Luminate. This marks Lamar’s fifth consecutive chart-topping album and the sixth-largest debut of 2024.

GNX’s debut success was largely driven by streaming, with the album securing 285,000 SEA (Streaming Equivalent Album) units. The 12-track project generated a staggering 379.72 million on-demand streams, making it the most-streamed album of the week in the R&B/hip-hop genre. This accomplishment also marked the biggest streaming week of 2024 for an R&B/hip-hop release, further solidifying Lamar’s dominance in the streaming era.

In addition to its streaming success, GNX also earned 32,000 traditional album sales and 2,000 TEA (Track Equivalent Album) units, which contributed to its strong overall debut. Despite being released exclusively as a digital download, the album performed exceptionally well on the physical sales front, landing at No. 2 on the Top Album Sales chart.

Lamar’s unexpected release of GNX is a continuation of his trailblazing approach to the music industry. The album not only secured the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 but also ranks as the second-largest debut of the year across all genres, behind only Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department. It also claimed the title of the third-biggest streaming week in 2024, following Swift’s release.

The album’s success underscores Kendrick Lamar’s enduring relevance and influence in the music world. GNX’s debut not only showcases Lamar’s artistic growth but also reaffirms his place at the forefront of modern hip-hop and rap music. Fans and critics alike are already eagerly dissecting the album’s content, which continues to spark conversations across social media and streaming platforms.

As GNX continues to dominate the charts, it’s clear that Kendrick Lamar has once again set a new standard for how surprise releases can make a major impact, proving that he remains one of the most influential and innovative artists of his generation.

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