After a spectacular 2021, which saw a blend of releases from high-profile artists (Drake, Kanye, J. Cole, Tyler) and dope independent and underground rappers (Ransom, Westside Gunn, Rome Streetz), it looks like 2022 is gearing up to be another great year for hip hop.
Straight off the bat, we had notable releases from Benny the Butcher, Lil Durk, 2 Chainz, Yo Gotti, Youngboy NBA, Cordae, Gunna, Conway the Machine, Earl Sweatshirt, Snoop Dogg, Earthgang, Kodak Black, Dave East, Bun B, Elzhi, the late great Phife Dawg, Denzel Curry and plenty more.
Later in the year, we had big drops from Five Foreign, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Vince Staples, Future and Jack Harlow. Then there’s Joey Bada$$, Lil Uzi Vert, Wiz Khalifa, another YoungBoy Never Broke Again drop, Megan Thee Stallion and Rod Wave. Not to mention plenty more albums from other high-profile artists on the way.
So let’s get into it. From Kendrick’s Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers to Future’s I Never Liked You, here are the biggest hip hop album first week sales of 2022 (so far).
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YG – I Got Issues
Released: September 30, 2022
Label: 4Hunnid, Def Jam
First week album sales: 13,800
Billboard 200 position: 48
Singles: “Toxic”
Features: J.Cole, MoneyBagg Yo, Mozzy, D3szn, H.E.R, Roddy Ricch, Post Malone, Nas, Cuco, Duki
Quando Rondo & YoungBoy Never Broke Again – 3860
Released: November 25, 2022
Label: Atlantic, Never Broke Again, Quando Rondo, LLC
First week album sales: 14,397
Billboard 200 position: 62
Singles: “Give Me a Sign”, “Cream Soda”, “Keep Me Dry”, “It’s On”
Features: Lul Timm
Denzel Curry – Melt My Eyez See Your Future
Released: March 25, 2022
Label: PH, Loma Vista
First week album sales: 15,244
Billboard 200 position: 51
Singles: “Walkin”, “Zatoichi”, “Troubles”
Features: Robert Glasper, Buzzy Lee, Saul Williams, Bridget Perez, T-Pain, 6lack, Rico Nasty, JID, Jasiah, 454, and Slowthai.
iann dior – On to Better Things
Released: January 21, 2022
Label: 10k Projects
First week album sales: 17,125
Billboard 200 position: 28
Singles: “V12”, “Let You”, “Thought It Was”
Features: Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Barker, and Machine Gun Kelly.
Dababy – Baby On Baby 2
Released: September 23, 2022
Label: Interscope, SCMG
First week album sales: 17,252
Billboard 200 position: 24
Singles: N/A
Features: Anthony Hamilton.
Vince Staples – Ramona Park Broke My Heart
Released: April 8, 2022
Label: Motown, Blacksmith
First week album sales: 18,921
Billboard 200 position: 21
Singles: “Magic”, “Rose Street”
Features: Mustard, Lil Baby, and Ty Dolla Sign
Babyface Ray – Face
Released: January 28, 2022
Label: EMPIRE Distribution, Wavy Gang
First week album sales: 19,018
Billboard 200 position: 31
Singles: N/A
Features: Icewear Vezzo, Young Lean, G Herbo, 42 Dogg, Landstripe Chip, Pusha T, and Wiz Khalifa.
2 Chainz – Dope Don’t Sell Itself
Released: February 4, 2022
Label: Def Jam
First week album sales: 19,400
Billboard 200 position: 20
Singles: “Million Dollars Worth of Game”, “Pop Music”
Features: Moneybagg Yo, BeatKing, Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, 42 Dugg, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Lil Durk, Sleepy Rose, Swae Lee, Stove God Cooks, Symba, Major Myjah, and Jacquees.
Benny the Butcher – Tana Talk 4
Released: March 11, 2022
Label: Griselda, Empire
First week album sales: 19,600
Billboard 200 position: 15
Singles: “Johnny P’s Caddy”
Features: J. Cole, Stove God Cooks, Boldy James, Diddy, Conway the Machine, 38 Speech, and Westside Gunn.
Cordae – From a Birds Eye View
Released: January 14, 2022
Label: Atlantic, Art@War
First week album sales: 20,000
Billboard 200 position: 13
Singles: “Gifted”, “Super”, “Sinister”
Features: Gunna, Lil Wayne, H.E.R., Lil Durk, Freddie Gibbs, Stevie Wonder, Eminem, and Roddy Ricch.
NLE Choppa – Me vs. Me
Released: January 28, 2022
Label: Warner
First week album sales: 21,700
Billboard 200 position: 14
Singles: “Final Warning”, “Mmm Hmm”, “Jumpin”, “I.Y.B.”, “Drop Shit”, “Too Hot”
Features: Young Thug, Polo G, G Herbo, and Moneybagg Yo.
Joey Badass – 2000
Released: July 22, 2022
Label: Pro Era, Cinematic
First week album sales: 22,000
Billboard 200 position: 18
Singles: “Head High”, “Where I Belong”, “Survivors Guilt”, “Zipcodes”
Features: Diddy, Westside Gunn, Larry June, Chris Brown, Capella Grey, and JID.
Kid Cudi – Entergalactic
Released: September 30, 2022
Label: Wicked Awesome, Republic
First week album sales: 22,000
Billboard 200 position: 13
Singles: “Do What I Want”, “Willing to Trust”
Features: Ty Dolla Sign, 2 Chainz, Steve Aoki and Don Toliver
Freddie Gibbs – Soul Sold Separately
Released: September 30, 2022
Label: ESGN, Warner
First week album sales: 22,000
Billboard 200 position: 14
Singles: “Too Much”
Features: Kelly Price, Offset, Moneybagg Yo, Rick Ross, Anderson .Paak, Raekwon, Pusha T, Musiq Soulchild, Scarface
Latto – 777
Released: March 25, 2022
Label: RCA, Streamcut
First week album sales: 23,500
Billboard 200 position: 16
Singles: “Big Energy”, “Soufside”, “Wheelie”
Features: 21 Savage, Childish Gambino, Lil Wayne, Lil Durk, Nardo Wick, and Kodak Black.
Nigo – I Know Nigo!
Released: March 25, 2022
Label: Republic, Victor Victor
First week album sales: 23,500
Billboard 200 position: 15
Singles: “Arya”, “Want It Bad”, “Hear Me Clearly”, “Morë Tonight”, “Heavy”
Features: ASAP Rocky, Tyler, the Creator, Pusha T, Clipse, Pharrell Williams, Gunna, Kid Cudi, Teriyaki Boyz, ASAP Ferg, Pop Smoke, and Lil Uzi Vert.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again – 3800 Degrees
Released: October 7, 2022
Label: Never Broke Again, Atlantic
First week album sales: 24,000
Billboard 200 position: 11
Singles: N/A
Features: E-40, Mouse on tha Track, and Shy Glizzy
Tory Lanez – Sorry 4 What
Released: September 30, 2022
Label: One Umbrella
First week album sales: 25,000
Billboard 200 position: 11
Singles: N/A
Features: A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Yoko Gold
The Game – Drillmatic – Heart vs. Mind
Released: August 12, 2022
Label: 100 Entertainment, Virgin
First week album sales: 25,000
Billboard 200 position: 12
Singles: “Eazy”
Features: Drake, Ice-T, Fivio Foreign, Roddy Ricch, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, YG, Ty Dolla Sign, Moneybagg Yo, ASAP Rocky, Jeremih, Pusha T, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Dreezy, G Herbo, Blxst, Big Sean, French Montana, Tory Lanez, Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Blueface, Twista, Cam’ron, Chlöe, and Cassie.
G Herbo – Survivor’s Remorse
Released: October 7, 2022
Label: Machine, Republic
First week album sales: 28,000
Billboard 200 position: 9
Singles: “Me, Myself & I”, “Blues”
Features: Yosohn, Jeremih, Offset, Future, Benny the Butcher, Essex, Gunna, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Young Thug, Conway the Machine, and Kodak Black
DaBaby & YoungBoy Never Broke Again – Better than You
Released: March 4, 2022
Label: Atlantic, Interscope, South Coast, Never Broke Again
First week album sales: 28,500
Billboard 200 position: 10
Singles: “Hit”, “Neighborhood Superstar”
Features: N/A
Fivio Foreign – B.I.B.L.E.
Released: April 8, 2022
Label: Columbia Records, RichFish
First week album sales: 28,760
Billboard 200 position: 9
Singles: “City of Gods”, “Magic City”
Features: Quavo, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Queen Naija, Chloe, A$AP Rocky, Lil Tjay, Polo G, and Ne-Yo
42 Dugg & EST Gee – Last Ones Left
Released: April 8, 2022
Label: CMG, Warlike, Interscope
First week album sales: 29,040
Billboard 200 position: 7
Singles: “Who Hotter Than Gee”, “Free the Shiners”, “Everybody Shooters Too”, “Thump Shit”
Features: 42 Cheez, Meet The Reaper, YNT Tae Money, BIG30, and EST Zo.
Jeezy – SNOFALL
Released: October 21, 2022
Label: YJ Music, Def Jam
First week album sales: 31,000
Billboard 200 position: TBC
Singles: N/A
Features: Lil Durk, 42 Dugg, EST Gee
JID – The Forever Story
Released: August 26, 2022
Label: Dreamville, Interscope
First week album sales: 31,000
Billboard 200 position: 12
Singles: “Surround Sound”, “Dance Now”
Features: Kenny Mason, EarthGang, 21 Savage, Baby Tate, Lil Durk, Ari Lennox, Yasiin Bey, Lil Wayne, Johntá Austin, Ravyn Lenae and Eryn Allen Kane.
Dreamville – D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
Released: March 31, 2022
Label: Dreamville Records, Interscope Records
First week album sales: 31,996
Billboard 200 position: 11
Singles: “Heaven’s EP”
Features: 2 Chainz, ASAP Ferg, Kenny Mason, Sheck Wes, G Perico, Reason, and Young Nudy.
Yeat – 2 Alivë
Released: February 18, 2022
Label: Geffen, Field Trip, Twizzy Rich
First week album sales: 32,000
Billboard 200 position: 6
Singles: “Still Countin”
Features: Young Thug, Gunna, Yung Kayo, Ken Carson, and SeptembersRich.
Quavo & Takeoff – Only Built for Infinity Links
Released: October 7, 2022
Label: Quality Control, Capitol, Motown, YRN
First week album sales: 34,000
Billboard 200 position: 7
Singles: “Hotel Lobby (Unc & Phew)”, “Us vs. Them”, “Big Stunna”, “Nothing Change”
Features: Gucci Mane, Birdman, Summer Walker, Young Thug, Gunna, YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Mustard
Roddy Richh – Feed Tha Streets III
Released: November 18, 2022
Label: Atlantic Bird Vision
First week album sales: 39,000
Billboard 200 position: 6
Singles: “Stop Breathing”, “Aston Martin Truck”, “Twin”
Features: Lil Durk, Ty Dolla Sign
YoungBoy Never Broke Again – Ma’ I Got A Family
Released: October 21, 2022
Label: Never Broke Again, Atlantic
First week album sales: 39,000
Billboard 200 position: 6
Singles: N/A
Features: Nicki Minaj, Yeat
Kodak Black – Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1
Released: October 28, 2022
Label: Sniper Gang, Atlantic
First week album sales: 43,000
Billboard 200 position: 8
Singles: “Walk”, “Spin”, “I’m So Awesome”
Yo Gotti – CM10: Free Game
Released: February 4, 2022
Label: CMG, Inevitable II Records
First week album sales: 46,000
Billboard 200 position: 3
Singles: “For the Record”, “Cold Gangsta”
Features: 42 Dugg, Blac Youngsta, EST Gee, Kodak Black, Moneybagg Yo, Shenseea and DaBaby.
Pusha T – It’s Almost Dry
Released: April 22, 2022
Label: GOOD, Def Jam
First week album sales: 55,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Diet Coke”, “Hear Me Clearly”, “Neck & Wrist”
Features: Kanye West, Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Nigo, No Malice, Lil Uzi Vert, Kid Cudi, Don Toliver and Labrinth.
King Von – What It Means to Be King
Released: March 4, 2022
Label: Empire, Only the Family
First week album sales: 59,000
Billboard 200 position: 2
Singles: “Grandson for President”, “Don’t Play That”, “War”
Features: G Herbo, 21 Savage, Fivio Foreign, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Durk, Tee Grizzley, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Dreezy, Boss Top, DqFrmDaO, and OMB Peezy.
Kodak Black – Back for Everything
Released: February 25, 2022
Label: Atlantic
First week album sales: 60,000
Billboard 200 position: 2
Singles: “Love & War”
Features: Lil Durk.
Megan Thee Stallion – Traumazine
Released: August 12, 2022
Label: 1501 Certified, 300
First week album sales: 63,000
Billboard 200 position: 4
Singles: “Sweetest Pie”, “Plan B”, “Pressurelicious”
Features: Key Glock, Latto, Pooh Shiesty, Rico Nasty, Jhené Aiko, Lucky Daye, Sauce Walka, Lil’ Keke and Big Pokey.
Nav – Demons Protected by Angels
Released: September 9, 2022
Label: XO, Republic
First week album sales: 67,000
Billboard 200 position: 2
Singles: “Never Sleep”, “Wrong Decisions”
Features: Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Future, Don Toliver, Gunna, Lil Durk, RealestK, Bryson Tiller, and Babyface Ray
YoungBoy Never Broke Again – Colors
Released: January 21, 2022
Label: Never Broke Again, Atlantic
First week album sales: 79,000
Billboard 200 position: 2
Singles: “Bring the Hook”
Features: Quando Rondo.
DJ Khaled – God Did
Released: August 26, 2022
Label: We the Best, Epic
First week album sales: 107,500
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Staying Alive”
Features: Drake, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend, Fridayy, Kanye West, Eminem, Future, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, 21 Savage, Roddy Ricch, Quavo, Takeoff, SZA, Nardo Wick, Kodak Black, Don Toliver, Travis Scott, Gunna, Latto, City Girls, Skillibeng, Buju Banton, Capleton, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Juice Wrld, Jadakiss, and Vory.
Jack Harlow – Come Home the Kids Miss You
Released: May 6, 2022
Label: Generation Now, Atlantic
First week album sales: 113,000
Billboard 200 position: 3
Singles: “Nail Tech”, “First Class”
Features: Pharrell Williams, Drake, Justin Timberlake, and Lil Wayne.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again – The Last Slimeto
Released: August 5, 2022
Label: Never Broke Again, Atlantic
First week album sales: 108,400
Billboard 200 position: 2
Singles: “Mr. Grim Reaper”, “I Hate YoungBoy”, “Don’t Rate Me”, “Vette Motors”
Features: Kehlani, Rod Wave, Quavo.
Rod Wave – Beautiful Mind
Released: August 12, 2022
Label: Alamo
First week album sales: 115,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “By Your Side”, “Cold December”, “Stone Rolling”, “Alone”
Features: Jack Harlow and December Joy.
Lil Durk – 7220
Released: March 11, 2022
Label: Only the Family, Alamo, Sony
First week album sales: 120,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Pissed Me Off”, “Broadway Girls”, “Ahhh Ha”
Features: Future, Gunna, Summer Walker, and Morgan Wallen.
Post Malone – Twelve Carat Toothache
Released: June 3, 2022
Label: Mercury, Republic
First week album sales: 121,000
Billboard 200 position: 2
Singles: “One Right Now”, “Cooped Up”, “I Like You (A Happier Song)”
Features: Roddy Ricch, Doja Cat, Gunna, Fleet Foxes, the Kid Laroi, and The Weeknd.
Gunna – DS4Ever
Released: January 7, 2022
Label: YSL, 300
First week album sales: 150,300
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Too Easy”
Features: Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Drake, Kodak Black, Chlöe, Lil Baby, G Herbo, Nechie, Yung Bleu, Chris Brown, and Roddy Ricch.
Metro Boomin – Heroes & Villains
Released: December 2, 2022
Label: Boominati, Republic
First week album sales: 185,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: N/A
Features: John Legend, Future, Chris Brown, Don Toliver, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Young Nudy, Young Thug, The Weeknd, Mustafa, ASAP Rocky, Gunna, Takeoff.
Drake – Honestly, Nevermind
Released: June 17, 2022
Label: OVO Sound, Republic
First week album sales: 204,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: N/A
Features: 21 Savage.
After the blockbuster that was 2021’s Certified Lover Boy, Drake’s 2022 surprise release Honestly, Nevermind kept things a little more low-key than usual. Taking a stylistic left-turn from his previous releases, with influences from house and Baltimore club, Drake’s latest release nevertheless was a commercial success (how could it not be?), selling just over 200,000 copies in its first week. It might be paltry numbers compared to what the Toronto rapper’s used to, but it’s big enough to be one of the top-selling rap albums of the year.
Future – I Never Liked You
Released: April 29, 2022
Label: Freebandz, Epic
First week album sales: 222,000
Billboard 200 Position: 1
Singles: N/A
Features: Kanye West, Gunna, Young Thug, Drake, Tems, EST Gee, and Kodak Black.
It had been two years since Future’s last album, High Off Life, and a little less than that if you count his collaborative project with Lil Uzi Vert, Pluto x Baby Pluto, so for his fanbase, who were so used to multiple drops a year, it definitely felt like a drought. But we didn’t have to wait much longer. Dropping “Worst Day” a couple days before Valentine’s Day, Future started the hype machine for his ninth studio album. When it finally dropped, I Never Liked You ended up becoming the Atlanta rapper-crooner’s biggest release to date, selling 222,000 units in its first week and topping the charts.
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Released: May 13, 2022
Label: PGLang, Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records Records
First week album sales: 295,500
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “N95”
Features: Sampha, Kodak Black, Ghostface Killah, Florence Welch, Beth Gibbons of Portishead, Baby Keem.
After taking a five-year break from his last solo album, Kendrick Lamar was back like he never left. First it was rumblings of a new album with a new blog post uploaded in August 2021 where the Compton rapper spoke about his days “collecting old Beach cruisers” and going “months without a phone.” Then it was a devastating guest appearance on Baby Keem’s “Family Ties,” and before you knew it, K.Dot was back. Promoted with just the one single – “The Heart Part 5” – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers instantly topped the Billboard 200 and became Kendrick’s fourth number one album.
Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss
Released: November 4, 2022
Label: OVO, Republic, Slaughter Gang, Epic
First week album sales: 411,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: N/A
Features: Travis Scott
