Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's album 'Vultures' has claimed the top spot on the U.S. charts this week, despite facing backlash due to West's controversial behavior. The 16-song album initially faced removal from streaming platforms shortly after its release on Feb. 9, following complaints about West's antisemitic remarks. However, the album was reinstated on streaming services with the help of Label Engine, the new distributor.
The album's success is evident, as it debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's comprehensive albums chart, accumulating over 167 million streams and 148,000 equivalent units. This achievement marks Ty Dolla $ign's first No. 1 album and Kanye West's 11th.
One of the album's tracks, 'Carnival,' which references Taylor Swift, also made waves by entering the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 3. This feat places it behind Beyoncé's country-infused single 'Texas Hold 'Em,' which currently holds the No. 2 spot. Beyoncé's track has made history by becoming her first No. 1 country single in the U.S., making her the first Black woman to achieve this milestone. She joins a select group of artists, including Morgan Wallen, Justin Bieber, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Ray Charles, who have topped both Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
Beyoncé's label, Columbia, recently announced the promotion of 'Texas Hold 'Em' to country radio, resulting in the song leading the charts with 19.2 million streams and 4.8 million radio impressions across all formats. The accompanying single, '16 Carriages,' has also garnered significant attention with 10.3 million streams and 90,000 in radio reach.
The unexpected success of Beyoncé's country track has sparked interest within the industry, with Cumulus Media's chief content officer expressing enthusiasm for the song's impact on country radio. The industry's response has been overwhelmingly positive, with numerous country stations eager to play the track and engage with their audiences to gauge reactions.
In conclusion, both Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's album 'Vultures' and Beyoncé's single 'Texas Hold 'Em' have made significant waves in the music industry, showcasing the diverse talent and impact of these artists on the charts and radio airwaves.
