PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Tying Drake with JAY-Z and Taylor Swift

The collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, by PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake has stormed the Billboard 200 chart, landing at the No. 1 spot on the chart dated March 1. According to data from Luminate, the album accumulated 246,000 equivalent album units in the United States during the week ending Feb. 20. This achievement marks a significant milestone for both artists, securing PARTYNEXTDOOR’s first No. 1 album and Drake’s impressive 14th. The Billboard 200 remains the definitive ranking of album popularity in the U.S., utilizing a multi-metric consumption model that includes album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA), and streaming equivalent albums (SEA), all meticulously compiled by Luminate.

Drake’s 14th No. 1 album places him in an exclusive club, tying him with JAY-Z and Taylor Swift for the most No. 1 albums among soloists in the Billboard 200 chart’s nearly 69-year history. Only The beatles, with a staggering 19 No.1 albums, have surpassed this record. This accomplishment underscores Drake’s consistent dominance and enduring appeal in the music industry.

Drake Ties JAY-Z and Taylor Swift for Soloist Records

Drake’s achievement in tying JAY-Z and Taylor Swift for the most No. 1 albums among soloists is a testament to his sustained success and cultural impact. This milestone highlights his ability to consistently deliver commercially prosperous and critically acclaimed music, solidifying his place among the music industry’s elite.

The Journey to the Top

The collaborative project between PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake had been highly anticipated for months, with the official proclamation arriving on Feb. 3, ahead of its release on Feb. 14. The album’s success underscores the power of collaboration and the enduring appeal of both artists, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can lead to chart-topping achievements.

Breaking Down the Numbers

Of the 246,000 equivalent album units earned by $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, SEA units accounted for a significant 219,000, equating to 287.04 million on-demand official streams of the album’s songs.Album sales contributed 25,000 units, while TEA units made up 2,000. The album also debuted at No. 1 on the Top Streaming Albums chart and No.3 on the Top Album Sales chart, showcasing its widespread appeal across different consumption formats.

Streaming Success

The album’s impressive 287.04 million on-demand official streams mark the largest streaming week for an album in 2025.It is indeed also the largest streaming week for any album as Kendrick Lamar’s GNX debuted at No. 1 on the dec. 7, 2024, chart with 379.72 million streams. This highlights the increasing importance of streaming in determining chart success and the evolving landscape of music consumption.

Drake and Lamar: A Shifting Landscape

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U marks drake’s first album release since his feud with Kendrick Lamar escalated in March 2024. The release of Like That by Future, Metro Boomin, and Lamar ignited a series of diss tracks from both artists. Lamar’s Not Like Us achieved significant commercial success, spending three nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, including a recent return to the top following Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show performance on Feb. 9.

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U dethrones Lamar’s GNX from the top spot on the Billboard 200, with the latter falling to No. 3 with 136,000 equivalent album units earned (down 42%). This marks the first time Lamar and Drake have swapped the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200, adding another layer to their ongoing rivalry.

This is only the third time Lamar and Drake have concurrently held positions in the top three on the Billboard 200.The previous instances occurred on the May 13,2017,chart,with Lamar’s DAMN. at No. 1 and Drake’s More Life at No. 2, and on the May 6, 2017, chart, with DAMN. debuting at No. 1 and More Life at No. 3.

Collaborative success on the Charts

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U is the first collaborative No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 in 2025. Drake has previously topped the charts with collaborative projects such as Her Loss (with 21 savage in 2022) and What a Time to Be Alive (with Future in 2015), demonstrating his knack for successful partnerships.

Other Notable Chart Movements

sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet surges from 7-2 on the Billboard 200, earning 156,000 equivalent album units (up 208%) following its reissue with five additional tracks on Feb. 14. SZA’s SOS falls to No. 4, while Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos dips to no. 5.

Luminate’s Role in Chart Accuracy

Luminate, the self-reliant data provider for the Billboard charts

Unpacking Drake’s 14th no.1 Album: A Deep Dive into Chart Domination and Collaborative Success

Has any artist ever achieved such consistent chart-topping success in the modern music era? Drake’s latest No. 1 album raises the question to a whole different level.

Interviewer: Dr. Anya Sharma, renowned music industry analyst and Billboard chart expert, welcome to World Today News. Drake and PartyNextDoor’s “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” has debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.Can you shed light on the meaning of this achievement, particularly in the context of Drake’s already notable chart history?

Dr.Sharma: Absolutely.Drake securing his 14th number one album is truly unusual. It not only highlights his remarkable longevity and sustained popularity,but also underscores the evolving dynamics of album consumption in the digital age. This achievement firmly solidifies his placement amongst music’s elite, tying him with icons like JAY-Z and Taylor Swift for the most number one albums among solo artists. The fact that this success is a collaborative effort with PartyNextDoor further emphasizes the power of strategic partnerships in the music industry and the impact it can have on overall album performance and chart success.

Interviewer: Let’s talk about the album’s success metrics. luminate reported a stunning 246,000 equivalent album units. Can you break down how streaming, sales, and track equivalents contributed to this remarkable figure, and what this says about the current music consumption landscape?

Dr.Sharma: The success of “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” is a compelling case study in how modern music consumption shapes Billboard chart performance. The significant contribution of streaming equivalent albums (SEA),amounting to a considerable portion of the total equivalent album units,underscores the growing prevalence of on-demand music listening. The high number of streams reflects not only the popularity of the songs but also the increasingly essential role of streaming services in determining chart positions. Traditional album sales still play a role, however, they contribute only a percentage of the total units, compared to the dominance of streaming, indicating how crucial effective streaming strategies are for achieving chart-topping success.

Interviewer: Drake’s feat ties him with JAY-Z and Taylor Swift. What does this say about his sustained influence and the enduring pull of his music?

Dr. Sharma: This shows an extraordinary level of sustained success. To consistently deliver music that resonates with audiences across so many years, and to achieve the significant commercial success reflected in fourteen number-one albums, is testament to Drake’s skill, his adaptation to changing music consumption, and his powerful connection with fans across demographics. This longevity, coupled with the ability to maintain relevance amidst evolving trends and emerging artists, is a significant accomplishment. This places him among the rarest artists able to consistently top the charts and stay current for an extended period of time.

Interviewer: The article mentions a rivalry with Kendrick Lamar. How does this latest chart battle impact their ongoing narrative?

Dr. Sharma: The ongoing dynamic between Drake and Kendrick Lamar adds a layer of intrigue to their respective chart performances. Their back-and-forth achievements on the Billboard 200, where their albums contend for the top spots, showcases the intensity of competition at the highest level of the music industry.This competition is also reflective of their positions at the forefront of modern music and demonstrates the dynamic between artist longevity, evolving consumption, and audience preferences. It’s a interesting example of how artists continue to push boundaries for chart success within the modern music marketplace.

Interviewer: what broader implications does Drake’s continued chart dominance, along with this collaborative success, have for the future of the music industry?

Dr. Sharma: Drake’s consistent chart success, particularly this collaborative triumph, carries several key implications: Firstly, it emphasizes the significance of strategic partnerships in achieving chart-topping results. Secondly, it highlights the vital role of streaming in the modern music landscape. Thirdly, it underlines the enduring power and influence of artists who stay current, adapt to changing trends, and cultivate a strong connection with their audience. The enduring relevance of Drake’s music underscores that artistry, creative innovation, and maintaining a potent emotional connection with listeners remains crucial for chart success, nonetheless of prevailing musical trends and technological shifts.

Interviewer: thank you, Dr. Sharma, for those insightful perspectives. It’s clear Drake’s achievement is more then just a number; it’s a compelling marker of sustained success in a constantly evolving musical landscape.