The next week, it was knocked from the number one spot . . . by ANOTHER album by Future. The follow-up album, titled “HNDRXX.” This is the first time this kind of thing has happened. An article on Billboard.com spelled it out this way:
Future is the first act in the nearly 61-year history of the chart to achieve back-to-back No. 1 debuts in successive weeks. The rapper is also the first artist to succeed himself at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 at all (counting not only debuts) since 1968. He’s additionally the first soloist ever to claim the honor.
Atlanta-based hip-hop writer Christina Lee said this chart success is mainstream music industry validation of the hip-hop tradition of releasing mixtapes, or full length albums released for free, often containing new material and uncleared samples.
“He also received these number ones because of streaming,” Lee said. “It’s about a recognition of how he’s being played. The music industry is still shifting to recognize that really important music is being released in this way.”
