Kanye West is no stranger to controversy, and his latest album ‘Bully’ is lighting up the Billboard 200 despite some bumps along the way.
‘Bully’ debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, showcasing Kanye’s strong fan base with 152,000 equivalent units sold in its first week. However, the album was edged out of the top spot by BTS’s ‘ARIRANG’.
The album’s performance includes 96,000 units from streaming, with a whopping 98.43 million on-demand official streams, and 56,000 from traditional sales. This marks a rare moment for Kanye, as it’s only the second time his solo album hasn’t topped the chart since ‘The College Dropout’ in 2004.
Gamma., the distribution company behind ‘Bully’, claims the album actually sold over 200,000 units, which would place it at number one. They’ve shared a sales breakdown via Instagram, but Billboard hasn’t responded to these claims yet.
Kanye fans might have something more to look forward to, as Gamma. hinted at a deluxe edition of ‘Bully’ coming soon—though details are still under wraps.
Meanwhile, Kanye’s upcoming performances at the Wireless Festival in London have sparked backlash due to his past behavior. Several sponsors, including Pepsi and PayPal, have pulled out, and political figures have voiced concerns over his involvement.
Despite the controversy, Kanye recently performed two sold-out shows in Los Angeles, proving that his fan base remains loyal. He’s set to headline all three nights of the Wireless Festival, amidst ongoing scrutiny.
Kanye West’s ‘Bully’ may not have snagged the top chart position, but it certainly made waves. With potential for more music in a deluxe edition and ongoing performances, Kanye remains a formidable force in the music industry.
