The Billboard 200 is heating up as a wave of new releases vie for the top spot. Leading the pack is hip-hop titan Future with his latest offering, ‘Mixtape Pluto’. Will this be enough to secure his third No. 1 album of the year, a feat only achieved by Taylor Swift this decade?
Future Aims for Chart Domination
Just six months after igniting a rap feud with his Kendrick Lamar collaboration on “Like That,” Future returns with ‘Mixtape Pluto’. This marks his third album release in 2024, following the success of his two-part collaboration with Metro Boomin, We Still Don’t Trust You and We Don’t Trust You.
Despite its title, ‘Mixtape Pluto’ is a full-fledged album, boasting 17 tracks on streaming platforms. While devoid of big-name features, the album has taken the digital realm by storm, dominating Apple Music charts and securing a strong presence on Spotify. Unlike some of his recent releases, ‘Mixtape Pluto’ enjoys the added advantage of a physical release, available on both CD and vinyl.
A No. 1 debut for ‘Mixtape Pluto’ would be a historic win for Future. It would mark his eighth consecutive No. 1 solo album since 2015’s DS2 and his eleventh chart-topper overall. This would tie him with industry legends Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Kanye West, and Eminem for the fourth-most No. 1 albums in Billboard 200 history.
Perhaps most impressively, this would be Future’s third No. 1 album in 2024 alone. This achievement would make him the second artist this decade to achieve this milestone, following Taylor Swift’s record-breaking year in 2021 with Evermore, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), and Red (Taylor’s Version). Notably, Future would be the first artist to debut three No. 1 albums in a single calendar year.
Katy Perry Returns with ‘143’, But Can She Conquer the Charts?
Katy Perry returns with 143, an album that has generated considerable buzz, albeit not always positive. The album follows a tumultuous promotional campaign, which began with the release of lead single “Woman’s World” in July. Despite a star-studded lineup featuring collaborations with 21 Savage, Kim Petras, JID, and Doechii, the album’s lead single received lukewarm reviews and failed to make a significant impact on the charts.
However, Perry’s recent performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she received the Video Vanguard Award, has reignited interest in the pop star. Her performance, which included a guest appearance from Doechii for their collaborative track “I’m His, He’s Mine,” was met with widespread acclaim.
While 143 might not be generating the same streaming numbers as Future’s ‘Mixtape Pluto,’ Perry’s team is banking on physical sales to bolster the album’s chart performance. The album is available in an array of physical formats, including eight vinyl variants, several CD editions, and even a cassette tape, catering to collectors and die-hard fans.
Chappell Roan, Lil Tecca, and Keith Urban: The Other Contenders
This week’s Billboard 200 race is far from a two-horse race. Chappell Roan, fresh off her MTV VMA win for Best New Artist, has a chance to take her critically acclaimed album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess to the top spot. The album, which recently received a physical reissue with new vinyl variants, has been steadily climbing the charts and currently sits within the top five.
Meanwhile, Lil Tecca, known for his consistent streaming success, aims for a top 10 debut with his latest album Plan A. Country music star Keith Urban also throws his hat in the ring with High, his first album in four years, hoping to extend his impressive streak of top 10 albums on the Billboard 200.
A Tight Race for the Top
The race for this week’s Billboard 200 No. 1 is shaping up to be a close one. Future’s ‘Mixtape Pluto’, with its strong streaming performance and physical release, has a good chance of securing the top spot. However, Katy Perry’s dedicated fanbase and the allure of 143‘s physical variants could propel her to the top. And with Chappell Roan’s surging popularity, a surprise upset is not out of the question. Only time will tell who will emerge victorious.
