Lil Baby’s WHAM Debuts at #1 on Billboard 200 with Impressive First-Week Sales
Lil Baby is back at the top of the Billboard 200 with his new album WHAM, which sold an impressive 140,000 units in its first week. The album debuted at number one on the charts for the week ending January 18, surpassing major names like Bad Bunny, SZA, Kendrick Lamar, and Sabrina Carpenter.
WHAM marks the fourth album by the Atlanta rapper to claim the coveted number-one spot. Previously, he achieved this with It’s Only Me, his collaborative album with Lil Durk, The Voice of the Heroes, and his breakthrough project, My Turn. This new project released on January 3 features an exciting lineup of guest artists, including Travis Scott, Future, Young Thug, GloRilla, Rod Wave, Rylo, and 21 Savage.
What’s Next for Lil Baby?
Not stopping at WHAM, Lil Baby recently revealed that this year will be packed with even more music. The rapper shared during an appearance on Lil Yachty’s A Safe Place podcast that he’s not just stopping with WHAM—he’s got a second album in the works. He confirmed, “At first, I told everybody I was gonna do a double album. Now, I’m doing WHAM and an album called Dominique.”
The second album, named after Lil Baby’s real name, Dominique, is expected to drop in February, just after WHAM. In a candid moment, he elaborated on how the two projects will differ in both sound and emotional depth:
“I’m still putting some songs I was going to use for Dominique on WHAM, because I know my fans want to hear them. WHAM is more about the fun stuff—the fast cars, the girls, the jewelry, the money, you know, that turnt-up lifestyle.”
Meanwhile, Dominique will showcase a more personal and introspective side of the artist. “That’s gonna be more serious, more personal,” he explained. “It’s part of a new journey I’m going through. I hate the word ‘vulnerable,’ but I’ll be more open with my fans and my audience.”
My Turn and Billboard Recognition
The success doesn’t stop at WHAM. Lil Baby’s previous album, My Turn, which dropped in 2020, has recently been recognized as the most popular rap album of the 21st century. This prestigious acknowledgment came when Billboard unveiled its list of the Top 200 Albums of the 21st Century based on performance on the Billboard 200 chart from January 1, 2000, to December 28, 2024.
My Turn landed in the eighth position on this prestigious list, alongside massive albums by Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, Adele, Post Malone, and more. The album joins other chart-toppers like 21 by Adele and Hollywood’s Bleeding by Post Malone on the top ranks. Post Malone dominated the chart with two more albums in the top 25—beerbongs & bentleys (#12) and Stoney (#24). Kendrick Lamar’s Damn also earned a spot in the top 25 at #25.
A Promising Year Ahead
With WHAM already achieving remarkable success and another album on the horizon, Lil Baby has solidified himself as a dominant force in the rap scene. His versatility and ability to produce both high-energy hits and introspective tracks have made him a fan favorite, and it looks like 2025 will be another exciting year for his fans. Dominique, his forthcoming album, promises to be a deep, personal exploration of his journey, something that has been long awaited by his audience.
Lil Baby is not just dominating the charts—he’s setting the bar for what’s next in the music industry, and fans can’t wait to see where he goes next.