Tate McRae has officially reached a major milestone in her career, earning her first-ever No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with So Close to What. The Canadian pop sensation debuted at the top of the chart with a massive 177,000 equivalent album units, making this her biggest opening week yet.
The album, which features hit singles and a more mature, refined sound, racked up 137.3 million on-demand streams and sold 71,000 pure copies, demonstrating both strong digital consumption and significant fan support through physical sales. This marks McRae’s best first-week performance by a wide margin, as So Close to What nearly doubled the combined first-week sales of her previous two albums, I Used to Think I Could Fly (2022) and Think Later (2023).
Tate McRae Becomes the First Female Artist to Debut at No. 1 in 2025
With this historic debut, McRae has become the first female artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2025. This accomplishment solidifies her position as one of the most exciting young artists in pop music today.
McRae’s steady rise in the industry has been fueled by a combination of viral success, compelling visuals, and impressive live performances. With each project, she has refined her artistry, and So Close to What represents a defining moment in her evolution. The album’s strong start suggests that McRae is no longer just a rising star but a dominant force in mainstream music.
The Competition: Strong Albums Hold Steady in the Top Five
McRae’s So Close to What claimed the top spot from $OME $EXY $ONGS 4 U, the collaborative project from PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake, which had previously debuted at No. 1. The album slips to No. 2 this week, adding 119,000 units and bringing its total to 365,000 in just two weeks.
Kendrick Lamar’s GNX remains locked in at No. 3, continuing its impressive run with another 106,000 units. The album has now moved a total of 1.648 million units, proving once again that Lamar’s influence and staying power are unmatched.
Meanwhile, SZA’s SOS holds at No. 4 with 82,000 units, a remarkable achievement for an album that has been on the chart for well over a year. With this latest week in the top ten, SOS is now just one week away from tying Thriller as the longest-running top ten album by a Black artist in Billboard 200 history. If it remains in the top ten next week, it will stand alongside Michael Jackson’s legendary album as one of the most enduring records in music history.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet, which previously spent four weeks at No. 1, slides to No. 5 with 76,000 units. The album continues to perform exceptionally well, having now accumulated 2.399 million total units. Carpenter’s continued success signals her transition from a rising pop act to an established hitmaker.
The Rest of the Top Ten: Consistency from Fan Favorites
As the chart moves beyond the top five, some of the biggest names in music continue to hold their ground. Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS lands at No. 6 with 63,000 units, keeping the Latin superstar’s latest project among the best-performing albums of the year.
The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow drops one spot to No. 7, adding another 50,000 units to its total of 700,000. While the album didn’t have the same long-term dominance as some of his past releases, it still boasts strong streaming numbers and a dedicated fanbase.
Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess continues its impressive chart run, coming in at No. 8 with 46,000 units. The album has now accumulated 2.361 million units, making it one of the biggest breakthrough success stories in recent memory.
Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 9 with 41,000 units, further extending its reign as one of the most successful country albums of the decade. With 8.494 million total units, it is a commercial juggernaut that continues to resonate with listeners.
Billie Eilish rounds out the top ten as HIT ME HARD AND SOFT slips to No. 10 with 41,000 units. The album has now reached 2.615 million total units, continuing Eilish’s streak of highly successful projects.
A Defining Moment for Tate McRae
McRae’s first No. 1 album is more than just a chart achievement; it is a testament to her growth as an artist and her deepening connection with her audience. Her ability to evolve while maintaining her signature emotional depth has set her apart in an increasingly competitive pop landscape.
With So Close to What off to a phenomenal start, McRae is proving that she is not just here for a moment—she is here to stay. Whether through her dance-driven performances, introspective songwriting, or powerful vocals, she has firmly established herself as a major force in the music industry.
As fans continue streaming and supporting the album, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether So Close to What can maintain its dominance. But one thing is clear: Tate McRae has arrived at the top, and she is only getting started.
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