Hot DAMN. Kendrick Lamar Projected To Achieve Third #1 Album.

Last week, Kendrick Lamar did his DAMN. thing, literally. Including last year’s untitled unmastered. compilation, this is the Compton, California MC’s fourth major label title, and apparent fourth album in a run that began with 2011’s Section.80. According to Billboard, it also appears that the Top Dawg Entertainment flagship artist is marching towards his third consecutive #1 release.

Looking at April 20 as tally the cutoff date, projections state that DAMN. will arrive at #1 on the charts, estimating 475,000 equivalent albums sold (combining streams and sales of the TDE/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records release). If achieved, that figure would mark a new personal best for the K-Dot. In 2015, he recorded 363,000 for To Pimp A Butterfly.

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The roll-out to DAMN. has been trademark Kendrick Lamar: unconventional. He is an artist who posted full album streams to Soundcloud in the past, making purchases more of an option than artists typical of the early 2010s. Later, as a Grammy Award-winning major label act, Kendrick released 2015’s To Pimp A Butterfly early, surprising even some staff at his record company. Without a formal announcement, Lamar’s “The Heart Part 4” lyrics led many to circle April 7 on their calendars. Following the release of video single, “HUMBLE.,” April 7 would prove to merely be the day that the Black Hippy member simply posted an album pre-order, for April 14. Hours ahead of midnight on April 13 (for US markets), the LP released.

With respect to current streaks at the top of the charts, J. Cole maintains four consecutive #1 albums. including two February releases, Future boasts four consecutive #1 albums as a solo artist. His collaborator, Drake, has six solo titles to reach #1 consecutively, as recently as this year’s More Life “playlist.” Kanye West and Eminem also have six consecutive peaks, respectively. Jay Z is the leader, with 10 solo #1s in a row, dating back to 1998’s Vol 2… Hard Knock Life album. Hov’ has 13 #1s in all.

With a third #1, Kendrick also passes Big Sean, who some perceive as a lyrical foe (despite being a past collaborator) of Lamar’s. The G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam artist grabbed his second straight #1 in February. Notably, Kendrick’s Aftermath Entertainment mentor, Dr. Dre, has never had a #1 solo album, despite several acclaimed releases.

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Last week, it was confirmed that Kendrick’s “HUMBLE.” reached #2 on the singles chart, a career best for the MC’s own catalog.