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Big releases, major comebacks, and successful collaborations have defined rap albums in 2025. Some artists have left potential projects waiting for years, while others have maintained streaks of success. The best-selling rap albums of this year show how streaming, online outlets, and first-week performances are the main factors shaping the industry.
This list examines the five best-selling rap albums in the United States up to the year 2025. The rankings are determined by the reported number of units sold, including streaming equivalents and physical albums. These rap albums can be seen as indicative not only of the artists' popularity but also of how music consumption in the rap world is evolving.
With Kendrick Lamar leading overall sales, Playboi Carti breaking records after returning, and Lil Baby consistently achieving success, among other success stories, 2025 has seen some of the biggest rap albums in recent years. Here's a look at the artists who have delivered the top rap albums on the chart.
Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion.
5 Best-selling rap albums of 2025
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Kendrick Lamar’s GNX is one of the top-selling rap albums in the US this year. It has sold more than 1.8 million units overall, making it the clear leader. The album originally dropped in late 2024 but maintained its momentum into 2025, dominating the market with strong streaming and consistent sales.
Kendrick has long been known for shaping rap with meaningful work, and GNX continues that trend. It became a cultural event as soon as it was released. His ability to connect with listeners across different groups and deliver music that stays relevant over time explains why this album continues to lead months after release.
Playboi Carti – Music
Playboi Carti’s music remains in second place, selling around 1 million units. The album was released on March 14, 2025, and had one of the biggest streaming debuts of the year. Fans had been waiting a long time since his last project, and that anticipation generated huge numbers.
Carti’s unique style and sound played a major role in drawing listeners back. His highly engaged online fan base helped boost the album’s success. This shows how important streaming platforms and loyal communities are in shaping today’s rap industry.
Lil Baby – WHAM
Lil Baby’s WHAM ranks third with approximately 667,000 units sold. Released in January 2025, the project earned him his fourth consecutive number-one album. This demonstrates how consistent Lil Baby has been in releasing music that resonates with his audience.
The sales reflect both his popularity and his steady growth as an artist. While WHAM did not reach the million mark like the top two albums, it still made a significant impact and remains one of the year’s most notable rap releases. It shows how Lil Baby has established himself as one of rap’s reliable artists.
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Drake & PartyNextDoor – $ome $exy $ongs 4 U
Drake collaborated with PartyNextDoor to release Sexy Songs 4 U, which sold 246,000 copies in its first week. Released in February 2025, it became the 14th album by a Toronto rapper to reach number one, demonstrating his longevity in rap and pop culture.
The collaboration between the two artists also contributed to the album’s success. Much of PartyNextDoor’s influence helped draw combined audiences from both artists.
The standout achievement was first-week sales, which indicate high anticipation before the release. Although it has not yet reached the top three, the impact of this project was clear from the start.
Travis Scott & Jackboys – Jackboys 2
Closing the list is Jackboys 2 by Travis Scott and his Jackboys collective. Over 232,000 copies were sold in the first week, making the album rank among the top five. This was one of the most popular projects in 2025, and it was another example of Travis Scott bringing team efforts together to showcase talents.
This proves that although group and collaborative albums are no longer as popular as they were in the 1980s, they can still make a difference in modern rap music. The project highlighted Travis's role both as a bandleader with multiple members and as a leading solo artist. Although its total sales are lower than those of the other three, it still showed a decent start, as suggested by its opening week sales.
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The top rap albums of 2025 so far showcase a mix of solo stars and collaborations. Kendrick Lamar leads with GNX, proving his ability to stay on top. Playboi Carti returned with Music and gained huge attention. Lil Baby’s WHAM kept his streak of chart success going. Drake and PartyNextDoor’s joint project had a strong first week, and Travis Scott with Jackboys rounded out the top five with another team effort.
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