Meek Mill’s ‘Championships’ Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200
Just a bit less than eight months removed from getting out of prison, Meek Mill makes a triumphant return to the top of the charts. Today (Dec. 10), the folks at Billboard revealed that the Philadelphia rapper's Championships album, which includes features from Jay-Z, Drake, Cardi B, Rick Ross and more, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Earning 229,000 equivalent album units in its first week (42,000 from pure sales), Championships marks Meek Mill's second biggest first-week sales total to date. His debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, moved 246,000 units in its opening week, also securing the No. 1 spot on the chart. His last album, 2017's Wins & Losses, moved 82,000 equivalent album units in its first week. Billboard also notes that Championships had the ninth-biggest streaming week of 2018. Needless to say, this is a huge win for Meek.
Landing at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart is Lil Baby, whose Street Gossip mixtape moved 88,000 equivalent album units in its first week. 5,000 of that total came from pure sales.
Also holding down top 10 spots are 6ix9ine and Ski Mask The Slump God. Tekashi's debut LP (Dummy Boy) moves down one spot from No. 2 to No. 3 after its first full-week of tracking. The album was originally released on a Tuesday, which meant it missed some streams it would have gotten had it been released on Fri., Nov. 23 the way it was originally intended. Tekashi's full, one-week first week sales total is at 83,000, which means it might have ended up outright besting Travis Scott's No. 1 spot from last week had it been given more time.
Meanwhile, there's Ski Mask, whose debut album, Stokeley, lands at No. 6. The LP, which is filled with features from Lil Yachty, Juice Wrld and Lil Baby, moved 51,000 equivalent album units in its first week. It's a strong opener for the 2018 XXL Freshman, who should continue doing it big from here on out. Travis Scott's Astroworld album secures a No. 8 spot after moving 48,000 equivalent album units.
See Photos of Meek Mill's Different Looks Over the Years