In addition to earning his 8th consecutive chart-topper on the Billboard 200, ‘Ultralight Beam’ beau Kanye West saw his latest effort, ‘The Life of Pablo,’ beam in history books as the first album to top the chart based on streaming ‘sales’ alone.
The feat, all the more impressive considering how long the project has been “available” to consumers (in limited capacity), the set’s #1 “debut” was a firestarter of convo for critics opposed to the industry’s streaming rules given its low traditional album sales (28,000).
Now, in its second week of wide availability, the album has taken quite the tumble on the sales front. Selling a measly 1,000 copies (you read that right), ‘Pablo’s buoyancy on the Billboard 200 continues to be based on streaming.
Get the details on this, Rihanna’s rebound, and the full Billboard 200 chart check below:
“The Life of Pablo descends 1-4 with 47,000 units (down 50 percent). The album fell 95 percent in traditional album sales, falling from a 28,000 start to a little more than 1,000 copies sold. (Much of its first week sales were bolstered by pre-orders not delivered until after the album saw a wide release on April 1. Those pre-orders were sold as part of a ticket/album bundle to his Yeezy 3 fashion show held at Madison Square Garden and screened via a live stream in movie theaters….”
Rihanna’s Anti climbs one rung to No. 5 (44,000 units; down 9 percent), Justin Bieber’sPurpose rises 8-6 (38,000 units; down 10 percent…
![Chart Check [Billboard 200]: 'Tortured Poets' Makes Historic Return to #1 as Taylor Swift Wrapped Her Record-Breaking 'Eras Tour' with $2B in Ticket Sales](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Taylor-Swift-thatgrapejuice-2024-ttpd-tortured-poets-billboard-200-no-1-eras-tour-2-billion-464x260.jpg "Chart Check [Billboard 200]: 'Tortured Poets' Makes Historic Return to #1 as Taylor Swift Wrapped Her Record-Breaking 'Eras Tour' with $2B in Ticket Sales.")
I think I’m still trying to wrap my head around this “streaming” stuff.
I’m with you
Streaming is going to be the death of the music industry. This is sad, for Kanye.
At least Kanye was able to RELEASE an album f**. Where’s the Carter V? You refuse to answer that question.
It’s c******, like CICI after s(he) gets done topping Russell.
Technology f****** took over you have to deal with it we are not in the 60s 70s 80s 90s the world has to move with the times do you see anyone these days have a cd player nope a home phone nope now you have apple watches so stop complaining I dont need no,cds up in my house accumulating
He aight–right down there with his sister 420. I mean 460.
I know Kanye and Rihanna want out of Tidal so bad!
They gotta stop doing this streaming crap. Just let these artist flop & stop creating illusions trying to make it seem as tho they’re having “success”. When it’s just simply free viewings from the general public. The charts should be based on SALES only imo. Whomever sells the most in that week, should have the #1 single or album, period. I’ve never understood why they factor in airplay, when an artist can easily pay millions of dollars for play. But, that doesn’t matter anymore since radio is pretty much owned by the 3 major record labels; SONY | Universal | Warner Bro’s So, payola isn’t big anymore. You just need to have radio deals with the record companies/owners of the major radio companies.
——
Adding streaming towards charting success/sales is like if they would’ve added radio impressions back in the day towards sales/charting success. Anyone can access the radio or computer & listen/stream yo music. But, it’s extremely hard to get those same people to dig into their pockets and actually PURCHASE your music. Adele is the real winner here. She’s actually making real money from her success… Why? Because she’s actually achieving the success the authentic way.. By, getting people to actually BUY her music.
Sorry folks but streaming is here to stay… You can bittch and moan all you want. If people actually started supporting artist by buying their music maybe then there would be no need for streaming services
Just go and die Molly
Like flop flop flop!
Kanye PURE SALES of 1k 2nd wk is still better than #460 (1st weak). I bet 25 is still selling more than Anti in pue sales also. With the B6 album coming this Friday & Drake dropping also rih wont be top 5 for much longer.
You’re an idiot. That was not Rihannas first week sales for Anti so i don’t know why you think 460 is a drag. That figure was based on a few hours of sales before the cut off after a million copies were given away.
Wasn’t even two hours, it was the last 20 Minutes after 1.4 million downloads Samsung gave away. They’re desperate to hate on Rihanna.
Self titled 430k first day
Anti 340k first 3 months. #SKELETONS
The charts and the climate of the music industry is an utter mess these days. Tidal is in all kind of legal battles left and right. Smh. I would say I say I feel bad for artists but most of them are more wealthy than us commenting on this blog Lol. Adele seems to be the biggest exception to the current climate of the music industry. She still is able to release one damn song and garner a multiplatinum album. She is one of a very few who have that luxury this day in age.
Hmm. Will there even be such a thing as the music “industry” in the next 20 years?
I love Rihanna and Beyonce but when Beyonce drops I hope I don’t see walking contradictions everywhere. I don’t wanna see people praising streaming. Some folks on here will tear an artist down and then when their fav does it they start singing a different tune. Smh
I just can’t with ADELE slaying to the gods without streaming. Another 30000 units sold. Pretty much selling what the rest of the top 10 do streaming + sales. Queen.
LOL BUT WHY DIDN’T STREAMING SAVE FLOPMATION? LMAO
There are quite a few artists that sale very damn good without/with streaming. But sales should be sales period. Streaming is whack. Just make a streaming chart for streaming only. If anything this goes to show how much more important album sales are to streaming. He would have sold a lot more if his album was available for sale. AirPlay should still count. It’s apart of music.. Not every artist uses payola. Also, record companies do not own radio. A few major companies do..
Rihanna will release a second album Anti can’t wait and who heard kanye west album of the whole album?
Yet Anti is still in the top 5. Humm…
Told y’all Anti is the hottest album. Streaming only helping Rihanna in this age, the rest are still flopping. Lol
Dang! It sucks because this is actually a well-rounded, experimentive album from a physically attractive and talented man. I’m positive he’ll be touring soon, but I just hope that he sells out his shows this time around.
I’m sorry but they should have a separate chart for streaming. They keep comparing today’s artists with past records from The Beatles, Madonna, Michael etc..those where the real charts with REAL sales, they have just ruined today’s chart system in some cases even stealing a number one from the artist( see Madonna with Rebel Heart vs Empire). It’s all Bull***t, Adele is the only one keeping it real at the moment.
They want to get rid of streaming because it helps artist stay atop! Still don’t understand why you guys don’t see it’s still the same thing. Buy a physical copy you ain’t using it unless you in the car. Even if that. I Bluetooth my purchased or streamed media. It’s just the era. They may soon outlaw physical store bought copies. Who knows. You guys are so mad. Let it go
I agree with you regarding purchased music, I also buy most of my music from iTunes. I am just against Free streamed music counting towards charts positioning.
1k? is that physical only? or digital too? he wanted it like that tho. streaming exclusive. and… those 90000 equivalent sales. how does that work? he could have sold that half a million people? those ‘2.50 subs’ that don’t even math realistic?!? not really bs… is it?!? nice numbers game? well… 😀
Wow Taylor swift climbing again at 20:)
WW sales: @taylorswift13, “1989” 16,000 (9,422,000 total).
Slay
Can’t wait for Riri release a second Anti album hope she keep it lock this time around also she have two new songs