Kendrick Lamar Makes History: Three Albums in Billboard Top 10 After Super Bowl Performance
Kendrick Lamar has once again proven why he’s one of the greatest artists of his generation. The Compton rapper’s latest album, GNX, has surged back to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and it’s not alone. Two of his previous masterpieces, DAMN. (2017) and good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), have also secured spots in the Top 10 at No. 9 and 10, respectively. This historic achievement makes Lamar the first rap artist to ever place three albums simultaneously in the Billboard Top 10.
A Historic Milestone
This feat places Kendrick in an elite league of artists. The last musician to achieve a similar milestone was Taylor Swift, who dominated the Dec. 9, 2023, chart with five albums. Before that, Prince held the honor in 2016 following his passing. Now, Kendrick stands alongside these legends, further cementing his place in hip-hop history.
Super Bowl Performance Sparks Massive Surge
The resurgence of GNX and Lamar’s catalog follows his electrifying Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance. Sharing the stage with SZA, Serena Williams, Samuel L. Jackson, and Mustard, Kendrick’s setlist created waves across streaming platforms. His track “Not Like Us” experienced an unprecedented 430% spike on Spotify, despite not being on any of his albums. Meanwhile, “HUMBLE.” soared by 300%, and “Euphoria” climbed by 260%, solidifying his cultural dominance.
Apple Music also reflected this impact, with GNX reclaiming the No. 1 spot on the streaming charts. This level of post-Super Bowl success hasn’t been seen since Justin Timberlake’s halftime performance in 2018.
The Power of the Pen
Reflecting on his craft, Kendrick shared his perspective in an interview with actor Timothée Chalamet ahead of the Super Bowl. “I have to keep the pen moving. It’s my form of sanity,” he told Variety. “A lot of these records I write, man, a lot of stuff I probably would have never expressed or even known about myself if it wasn’t for an instrumental behind it.”
His ability to turn introspection into timeless music is exactly why his influence remains unmatched. With three albums reigning in the Top 10 and an industry-shaking Super Bowl moment, Kendrick Lamar is not just at the top—he’s rewriting history.
