Drake and PartyNextDoor Dethrone Kendrick Lamar: ‘Some Sexy Songs 4 U’ Claims No. 1 on Billboard 200

It’s a momentous win for Drake in his heated rivalry with Kendrick Lamar. His latest collaborative album with PartyNextDoor, titled $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, has stormed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, dethroning Lamar’s GNX and solidifying Drake’s dominance in the rap game.

This marks a huge milestone for PartyNextDoor, securing his first-ever No. 1 album—a career-defining achievement for the OVO Sound artist. Meanwhile, Drake extends his legacy of success, earning his 14th chart-topping album. This latest victory ties him with Jay-Z and Taylor Swift for the most No. 1s among solo artists in history. The only act with more? The Beatles, who hold an untouchable record with 19 No. 1 albums.

Drake’s reign continues—this time, with an ally by his side!

Drake’s Winning Formula: Star Power, Marketing Genius, and Loyal Fans

Drake’s ability to consistently dominate the charts comes down to a perfect storm of factors:

• His die-hard fanbase, which turns every album release into a global event
• A marketing machine that fuels anticipation and social media hype
• Strategic collaborations—linking up with PartyNextDoor adds an R&B twist to his signature rap sound
• Streaming power—Drake’s music is practically built for repeat listens, ensuring massive first-week numbers

By tapping into romantic and sultry vibes on $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, Drake and PartyNextDoor have expanded their reach beyond hardcore rap fans, pulling in a broader audience that includes R&B lovers and casual listeners.

Massive Streaming Success: The Biggest Album Launch of 2025 (So Far)

Numbers don’t lie. $ome $exy $ongs 4 U pulled in a staggering 246,000 album-equivalent units in the U.S. in its debut week, according to Luminate. Even more impressive, the album shattered streaming records, logging a whopping 287.04 million streams—the largest streaming week of 2025 so far.

This figure is second only to Kendrick Lamar’s GNX, which debuted at No. 1 in December 2024 with 379.72 million streams. The battle between Drake and Kendrick isn’t just about lyrics and diss tracks—it’s a war fought on the streaming charts, where both artists command immense power.

From the booth to the charts—Drake and PartyNextDoor just delivered a streaming knockout!

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘GNX’ Falls, But His Influence Remains Strong

Though GNX has slipped to No. 3 this week with 136,000 equivalent album units, Kendrick Lamar’s legacy remains unshaken. His recent Super Bowl performance sparked renewed interest in his back catalog, sending two of his classic albums—2017’s Damn and 2012’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City—soaring back into the top 10.

• Damn skyrocketed from No. 29 to No. 9
• Good Kid, M.A.A.D City climbed from No. 28 to No. 10

Even after losing the top spot, Lamar’s influence remains undeniable, proving that his discography holds a lasting grip on hip-hop fans. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Kendrick’s music isn’t just about instant gratification—his albums are deep, concept-driven projects that fans continue to revisit years later.

One album falls, but the legend stands tall!

Sabrina Carpenter Surges to No. 2 After a Power-Packed Deluxe Release

Another major chart move this week comes from Sabrina Carpenter, whose album Short n’ Sweet jumps to No. 2 with 156,000 equivalent album units.

The deluxe edition, released on Feb. 14, added five new tracks, including a remix of Please Please Please featuring Dolly Parton. Other additions include:

• 15 Minutes
• Couldn’t Make It Any Harder
• Busy Woman
• Bad Reviews

This reissue gave Short n’ Sweet its biggest week since it first hit No. 1 in September 2024. Carpenter’s pop career continues to soar, and her ability to dominate the streaming charts is proving that she’s no one-hit wonder—she’s here to stay.

New tracks, new numbers—Sabrina Carpenter keeps the momentum rolling!

The Hip-Hop Power Struggle: What’s Next for Drake and Kendrick?

With $ome $exy $ongs 4 U taking the top spot, the long-standing battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar is far from over. The rivalry between these two rap titans has been one of the most compelling narratives in modern hip-hop, with each artist attempting to outshine the other on the charts, in cultural relevance, and through diss tracks.

So, what’s next?

• Will Kendrick Lamar fire back with a surprise album drop to reclaim the No. 1 position?
• Can Drake maintain his momentum, or is his No. 1 spot at risk?
• Could another artist step into the battle and shake up the hip-hop hierarchy?

Fans are already speculating about Drake’s next move. Some believe he’s sitting on another surprise project, while others think he’ll capitalize on his current success by dropping music videos, remixes, or collaborations with even bigger names.

Meanwhile, Kendrick’s next step remains a mystery. Will he respond with a lyrical masterpiece, or will he take a more calculated approach, letting his discography and cultural impact do the talking?

Keep your playlists ready—this chart battle is just getting started!

The Bigger Picture: The State of Hip-Hop in 2025

Drake’s chart dominance and Kendrick’s enduring legacy are just one piece of the puzzle in a rapidly evolving hip-hop landscape. Newcomers are rising, streaming numbers are breaking records every week, and the battle for hip-hop’s top spot is more competitive than ever.

With AI-generated music, viral TikTok trends, and independent artists gaining traction, the traditional rap industry is being reshaped. Artists who fail to adapt to streaming trends and digital marketing risk being left behind, while those who embrace innovation continue to thrive.

At the center of it all, Drake and Kendrick remain the genre’s two biggest heavyweights—but the next few months could shift the balance of power.