The Biggest Hip Hop Album First Week Sales of 2004 - Beats, Rhymes and Lists

November 17, 2023

The mid-2000s was an era dominated by gangsta rap. Releases from Eminem, 50 Cent and their crews and affiliates flooded the market and took over the Billboard charts.

From Young Buck to Lloyd Banks to Eminem and his D12 crew, we look at the biggest hip hop album first week sales of 2004.

10. Ludacris – The Red Light District

Ranking Ludacris First Week Album Sales Red Light

Released: December 7, 2004

Label: Disturbing tha Peace, Def Jam

First week album sales: 322,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Get Back”, “Number One Spot”, “The Potion”, “Pimpin’ All Over the World”, “Blueberry Yum Yum”

9. 2Pac – Loyal to the Game

Every Single Hip Hop Billboard Number One Album Since 1986 Loyal Game

Released: December 7, 2004

Label: Amaru, Interscope

First week album sales: 330,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Thugs Get Lonely Too”, “Ghetto Gospel”

8. Nelly – Sweat

Ranking Nelly First Week Album Sales Sweat

Released: September 14, 2004

Label: Derrty, Universal

First week album sales: 342,000

Billboard 200 position: 2

Singles: “Flap Your Wings”, “Tilt Ya Head Back”, “Na-NaNa-Na”

7. Beastie Boys – To the 5 Boroughs

Biggest Hip Hop Album First Week Sales Of 2004 Beastie Boys

Released: June 15, 2004

Label: Capitol

First week album sales: 360,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Ch-Check It Out”, “Triple Trouble”, “Right Right Now Now”, “An Open Letter to NYC”

6. Young Buck – Straight Outta Cashville

Biggest Hip Hop Album First Week Sales Of 2004 Young Buck

Released: August 24, 2004

Label: G-Unit, Interscope

First week album sales: 261,000

Billboard 200 position: 3

Singles: “Let Me In”, “Shorty Wanna Ride”

5. Nelly – Suit

Every Single Hip Hop Billboard Number One Album Since 1986 Nelly Suit

Released: September 14, 2004

Label: Derrty, Universal

First week album sales: 396,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “My Place”, “Over and Over”, “‘N’ Dey Say”

4. Lloyd Banks – The Hunger for More

Every Single Hip Hop Billboard Number One Album Since 1986 Lloyd Banks

Released: June 29, 2004

Label: G-Unit, Interscope

First week album sales: 433,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “On Fire”, “I’m So Fly”, “Karma”

3. Kanye West – The College Dropout

Ranking Kanye West First Week Album Sales College Dropout

Released: February 10, 2004

Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam

First week album sales: 441,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Through the Wire”, “Slow Jamz”, “All Falls Down”, “Jesus Walks”, “The New Workout Plan”

2. D12 – D12 World

Every Single Hip Hop Billboard Number One Album Since 1986 D12 World

Released: April 27, 2004

Label: Shady Records, Interscope

First week album sales: 544,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “My Band”, “How Come”

1. Eminem – Encore

Every Single Hip Hop Billboard Number One Album Since 1986 Encore

Released: November 12, 2004

Label: Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope, Goliath

First week album sales: 871,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Just Lose It”, “Mosh”, “Encore”, “Like Toy Soldiers”, “Mockingbird”, “Ass Like That”

Author

MC WordWeaver

MC WordWeaver is your lyrical guide to the golden days of hip-hop. A dedicated curator of the '80s and '90s era, he’s all about uncovering hidden gems, celebrating iconic pioneers, and spotlighting the tracks that paved the way. For WordWeaver, hip-hop is more than music; it’s a movement, a message, a global impact.