Kendrick Lamar Sets “Pimp” Record

Kendrick Lamar has a lot to celebrate.

Kendrick Lamar’s new album now holds the number one spot on April 4th’s Billboard 200 chart, a first for him. He previously hit number two on the chart with Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City in 2012.

One of the most talented rappers of the current era, Kendrick Lamar shocked fans last week when he digitally released his new album, To Pimp A Butterfly, a week before it was expected.

Kendrick Lamar even set a record on Spotify when To Pimp A Butterfly was streamed more than 9.6 million times on its first day of availability.

Kendrick Lamar now officially has the second-fastest selling album of 2015. Only Drake is ahead of him.

"Don't all dogs go to heaven? Don't Gangsta's boogie? Do owl shit stank? Lions, Tigers & Bears. But TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY. Its the American dream nigga…." – lil Homie.

A photo posted by Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) on Mar 10, 2015 at 9:41pm PDT

Kendrick Lamar‘s new album has also set a fun new record, since To Pimp A Butterfly is the first Billboard number one album to ever have the word “pimp” in the title.

Pimp C’s Pimpalation, which made it to number three in 2006, is the next closest thing.

My text to Kendrick after the show. He deserved best rap album… I'm honored and completely blown away to win anything much less 4 Grammys. But in that category, he should have won IMO. And that's taking nothing away from The Heist. Just giving GKMC it's proper respect.. With that being said, thank you to the fans. You're the reason we were on that stage tonight. And to play Same Love on that platform was a career highlight. The greatest honor of all. That's what this is about. Progress and art. Thank you. #grammys

A photo posted by @macklemore on Jan 26, 2014 at 10:18pm PST

Another fun fact: This is the third time for an album with “butterfly” in the title to sit at the number one position. Before Kendrick Lamar, there was Mariah Carey’s Butterfly and Bob Carlisle’s Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace), which both hit the charts in 1997.

The rest of the chart is unsurprising.

Behind Kendrick Lamar on the charts, the soundtrack for the Fox show Empire came in at number two. Sales and streams totalled 110,000 equivalent album units.

Modest Mouse reached No. 3 with Strangers to Ourselves, which is their first album since 2007. Modest Mouse is followed by the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack at number four and Taylor Swift’s phenomenally popular album 1989 at number five.

Have you heard Kendrick Lamar’s new album yet? What did you think?