Rihanna is finally on top once again, as her latest studio album, Anti, hits number one on the latest Billboard Top 200 chart after debuting at No. 27 last week.
As we previously reported, thanks to the album’s unusual release, which included being exclusive to Tidal users for the first three days and free downloads via a deal with Samsung, and despite being certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America only 15 hours after its release, Anti was deemed ineligible by both Billboard and Nielsen and the decision resulted in an uncharacteristically soft showing for the album’s first week.
True to the expectations of music industry executives, once Anti was released across all digital formats and into stores across the country it made light work of Adele’s 25, and registered 166K equivalent albums (124K pure sales) to take the top spot and give the singer her eighth straight top ten showing and second consecutive number one after 2012’s Unapologetic. Rihanna’s jump from No. 27 to No. 1 marks the largest the chart has seen since Radiohead’s In Rainbows made the unbelievable leap from No. 156 to No. 1 back in 2008.
Elsewhere on the chart, Kevin Gates makes a strong showing with his latest offering, Islah, tallying 112K equivalent albums (93K pure sales) to bow at No. 2. Adele’s 25 fell to No. 3 while Australian singer-songwriter Sia debuts at No. 4 with her new album, This Is Acting. Rounding out the top five this week is Justin Bieber’s critically acclaimed LP, Purpose. The only other new entry in this week’s top ten is Charlie Puth’s Nine Track Mind, which debuts at No. 6
Check out the complete list of top 10 albums below.
1. Rihanna – Anti
2. Kevin Gates – Islah
3. Adele – 25
4. Sia – This Is Acting
5. Justin Bieber – Purpose
6. Charlie Puth – Nine Track Mind
7. Twenty One Pilots – Blurryface
8. Chris Stapleton – Traveller
9. Bryson Tiller – Trapsoul
10. G-Eazy – When It’s Dark Out
