Major Music News: Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign Dominate Billboard 200, Beyoncé Reigns Supreme on Country Chart!
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s latest album “Vultures” has taken the music world by storm, claiming the top spot on the charts despite facing some major challenges. The 16-song album received significant pushback from streaming platforms due to West’s controversial behavior, but that didn’t stop it from becoming the No. 1 album in the United States this week.
Shortly after its release on Feb. 9, the album was removed from streaming services following a complaint from its initial distributor, FUGA. However, thanks to Label Engine, the album quickly returned to the platforms, much to the delight of fans.
The success of “Vultures” was solidified when it opened at No. 1 on Billboard’s all-genre-inclusive albums chart, boasting over 167 million plays on streaming platforms and a total of 148,000 equivalent units. This achievement marked Ty Dolla $ign’s first No. 1 album and Kanye West’s impressive 11th.
West, who recently transitioned to an independent artist after parting ways with Universal Music Group, had faced difficulties securing distribution services due to his controversial remarks. Despite these challenges, “Vultures” soared to the top of the charts.
One of the standout tracks on the album, “Carnival,” which references Taylor Swift, made a splash by securing a Top 10 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 3, following behind Beyoncé’s country-infused hit “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which claimed the No. 2 spot.
Beyoncé’s success with “Texas Hold ‘Em” marks a historic moment as the song became her first No. 1 country single in the U.S., making her the first Black woman to achieve this milestone. The track also topped both the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, further solidifying Beyoncé’s status as a music icon.
Following its release during the Super Bowl, “Texas Hold ‘Em” gained significant attention on country radio. Industry insiders closely monitored the reception of the single, especially after Columbia officially began promoting the song to country stations. With 19.2 million official streams and 4.8 million radio impressions, “Texas Hold ‘Em” quickly climbed the charts, while its accompanying single “16 Carriages” also garnered impressive numbers.
In a statement to Variety, Brian Philips, Chief Content Officer at Cumulus Media, expressed his excitement about the impact of “Texas Hold ‘Em” on country radio, highlighting the song’s catchy nature and broad appeal.
Meanwhile, on the Hot 100 chart, Jack Harlow’s “Lovin On Me” maintains its position as the No. 1 song for the week, marking a sixth non-consecutive week at the top. The single’s strong performance on radio and streaming platforms solidifies its status as a fan-favorite.
Over on the Billboard 200 chart, Usher makes a triumphant return with his album “Coming Home,” which debuts at No. 2 with 91,000 units. The album’s success was complemented by Usher’s headline performance at the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show, alongside Alicia Keys, H.E.R, will.i.am, Lil Jon, and Ludacris.
The Super Bowl broadcast was a record-breaking event, attracting 123.4 million viewers across various platforms. Usher’s chart-topping album and electrifying performance added to the excitement of the iconic spectacle.
