The Weeknd never had any trouble topping the charts with his new albums, but his latest LP Dawn FM failed to replicate the success of his previous releases. It debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, losing the top spot to Gunna’s latest album DS4Ever.
The race between the two albums was pretty close, but Gunna eventually prevailed and hit no. 1 with 150,300 equivalent album units earned. The Weekend was right behind with 148,000 units, and he’ll have a chance to recuperate and try to hit no. 1 in the upcoming weeks, as he doesn’t face tough competition on the charts.
Gunna’s DS4Ever is the latest album to confirm the power that hip-hop has over the Billboard 200 chart. Its triumph was powered by several A-list collaborators, including Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, and Drake, and it’s Gunna’s second consecutive album to hit no. 1.
As for Dawn FM, it’s The Weeknd’s first studio album since his debut Kiss Land in 2013 to miss out on the top spot. He previously hit no. 1 with Beauty Behind the Madness, Starboy, After Hours, and his 2018 EP My Dear Melancholy.
The Weeknd and Gunna were joined by former chart-toppers—Encanto soundtrack, Adele’s 30, and Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album—in the top five.
