Ken Carson has claimed his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with his latest project, More Chaos. The album debuted at the top spot for the week ending April 18, 2025, moving 59,500 equivalent album units in the U.S., with streaming accounting for roughly 82% of those numbers.
This achievement marks a significant breakthrough for Ken Carson, who had previously charted with A Great Chaos (peaked at No. 11 in 2023) and X (No. 115 in 2022), but never cracked the top 10 until now. Released under Playboi Carti’s Opium label and Interscope Records, More Chaos dethroned Carti’s album MUSIC, which had enjoyed multiple weeks at No. 1 but slipped to No. 7 this week.
The timing of Carson’s ascent is notable, as the current music market has seen relatively low sales figures for chart-topping albums. In fact, More Chaos posted the lowest sales week for a No. 1 album since Pusha T’s It’s Almost Dry debuted with just under 55,000 units in May 2022. This environment has created an opportunity for emerging artists like Carson to reach the summit with fewer sales than in previous years.
Industry observers highlight the significance of this milestone for Ken Carson’s career. His loyal fanbase, cultivated through years of consistent output and electrifying live performances, has propelled him beyond early comparisons to Playboi Carti. The success of More Chaos signals his arrival as a major player in the rap scene, silencing critics who once dismissed him as merely an imitator.
With More Chaos featuring 21 tracks and a sound that resonates with both dedicated fans and new listeners, Ken Carson’s first No. 1 album is a testament to his growing influence and the strength of the Opium label. As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see which other artists can capitalize on the current chart landscape and follow in Carson’s footsteps.
