By Eminem’s 12th studio album, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce),” has claimed the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart, ending Taylor Swift’s historic 12-week reign with “The Tortured Poets Department.”
Swift’s album, which debuted at No. 1 in April, set a new record for the biggest streaming week in history with 891.34 million album streams in its first week, according to Luminate. The 12-week run at No. 1 tied Morgan Wallen’s 2023 album “One Thing at a Time” and surpassed Whitney Houston’s previous record of 11 weeks for a female artist, set in 1987 with “Whitney.”
Eminem’s latest release marks his 11th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200. The chart shuffle sees Swift’s album drop to No. 4, with K-pop boy band ENHYPHEN’s “ROMANCE:UNTOLD” at No. 2 and Zach Bryan’s “The Great American Bar Scene” at No. 3.
Despite the impressive runs by Swift and Wallen, Stevie Wonder’s 1976 album “Songs in the Key of Life” retains the overall record with 14 total weeks at No. 1, including 13 consecutive weeks after its debut.
This chart movement underscores the dynamic nature of the music industry and the continued influence of both established and emerging artists. As streaming continues to dominate music consumption, these record-breaking performances highlight the evolving metrics of success in the digital age.
The success of Eminem’s new album and its impact on the charts demonstrates the rapper’s enduring popularity and ability to compete with contemporary pop giants. It also sets the stage for potential future chart battles as artists continue to release highly anticipated albums in the coming months.
