From Taylor Swift to Olivia Rodrigo: 21 of the Most Anticipated Sophomore Albums by 21st Century Pop Stars

The Hype

The 12 months was 2000, the brand new century had simply arrived, and Britney Spears was arguably the only greatest solo musical act on Planet Earth. The 12 months prior, Spears made her formal debut with …Child One Extra Time, a blockbuster pop file that offered 10 million copies inside its first 12 months of launch, earned her a Grammy nomination for finest new artist, and spawned the hit singles “…Child One Extra Time,” “Typically,” and “(You Drive Me) Loopy.” For Spears, it was “form of onerous following ten million,” however she maintained that she was “actually assured” in her follow-up to Child One Extra Time “after listening to the brand new materials and recording it.”

Did It Dwell Up?

Completely. Oops!… I Did It Once more debuted atop the Billboard 200 with over 1.3 million copies offered in its first week, setting a file for the fastest-selling album by a feminine artist within the SoundScan period — a file that might stand for 15 years. Like its predecessor, Oops offered over 10 million copies within the U.S. and finally landed because the sixth-biggest album of the 2000s as per Billboard. The set additionally launched a collection of hit singles together with its title monitor, “Fortunate,” and “Stronger.” Furthermore, Oops!.. I Did It Once more was warmly obtained by critics, and earned Spears her first Grammy nomination for finest pop vocal album.

The Hype

In contrast to Britney, *NSYNC had a curiously prolonged hole between their debut and sophomore albums. Their eponymous 1997 debut had a tender debut on the Billboard 200 at No. 82 with round 14,000 items offered. Nonetheless, the album grew right into a gross sales behemoth, finally promoting 10 million copies and lasting on the Billboard 200 for a whopping 109 weeks, finally peaking at No. 2. Hit singles resembling “I Need You Again,” “Tearin’ Up My Coronary heart,” and “(God Should Have Spent) A Little Extra Time on You)” helped the album develop right into a industrial juggernaut.

The boy band adopted up their debut with a Christmas album and a Germany-exclusive compilation as authorized points delayed the discharge of their sophomore file. Two months earlier than the discharge of their sophomore album, the boy band unleashed “Bye Bye Bye,” a blistering kiss-off that rocketed into the highest 10 of practically each nation by which it charted and earned the group a Grammy nomination for file of the 12 months. Between the success of “Bye Bye Bye” and the three years since their debut, anticipation for No Strings Connected was at a fever pitch.

Did It Dwell Up?

Indubitably. No Strings Connected debuted atop the Billboard 200 with a then-record 2.4 million copies offered — a mark that might stay untouched for 15 years. The album inevitably completed the last decade because the best-selling file of the 12 months. With the assistance of producers like She’kspere, Teddy Riley and Kandi, the boy band leaned a bit extra into R&B for No Strings Connected — a transfer that concurrently separated them from related acts like Backstreet Boys and yielded numerous smash hits together with “This I Promise You” and “It’s Gonna Be Me,” their lone Billboard Scorching 100 No. 1. Broadly thought of the height of the SoundScan period, No Strings Connected is arguably the Twenty first century pop album that has most impressively averted the “sophomore droop.”

The Hype

Two years earlier than the discharge of Below My Pores and skin, Avril Lavigne captivated the world along with her angsty debut album Let Go. That file, which housed the seminal 2000s pop-rock hits “Sk8r Boi” and “Sophisticated,” offered over six million copies in america and climbed to a peak of No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Lavigne had turn into the preeminent “anti-pop star” of the day, a punkier response to the bubblegum pop of Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys. In help of Let Go, Lavigne launched into a worldwide 70-date live performance tour, additional stoking the flames of anticipation for her sophomore file.

Did It Dwell Up?

Brief reply: Sure. Though Below My Pores and skin didn’t yield any singles as culturally huge as “Sk8r Boi” or “Sophisticated,” although the album did home the Scorching 100 prime 10 hit “My Completely happy Ending” (No. 9). Regardless, the album did turn into Lavigne’s first to prime the Billboard 200, with the most important first-week gross sales complete of her profession (381,000 copies), as well. Below My Pores and skin additionally spawned the Bonez Tour, a 145-date marathon that visited North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The album additionally gained pop album of the 12 months on the 2005 Juno Awards, following within the footsteps of Let Go.

The Hype

From each a vital and industrial standpoint, Kanye West’s The School Dropout was the form of file most artists dream of. Regardless of some delays as a result of West’s perfectionist tendencies, the album roared to a No. 2 debut on the Billboard 200 with 441,000 copies offered, finally crossing 2.3 million in gross sales in its first 9 months of launch. The set earned West the Grammy for finest rap album, and spawned a plethora of Scorching 100 prime 20 hits together with “By way of The Wire,” “All Falls Down,” “Jesus Walks” and the No. 1-peaking “Sluggish Jamz.”

The School Dropout proved to be successful with followers and critics alike, and the world was greater than prepared for brand new Kanye music. Main as much as its launch, Late Registration was named one of the vital pre-ordered albums in iTunes historical past, and Time Journal confirmed that, as a result of expectations of the album being the biggest-selling musical launch of the 12 months, 1.6 million copies of Late Registration have been shipped to shops for its first week of launch. Previous to the discharge of the album, West launched the Jamie Foxx-assisted “Gold Digger,” which had not but hit its peak, and “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” the set’s lead single.

Did It Dwell Up?

Unquestionably. Late Registration debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 860,000 copies offered, a determine West would surpass together with his subsequent studio album. His sophomore file offered over three million copies inside its first 12 months of launch, finally incomes a quintuple-platinum certification from the RIAA in 2022. Late Registration spawned hit singles resembling “Heard ‘Em Say” and “Contact the Sky,” and after the album’s full launch, “Gold Digger” vaulted to No. 1 on the Scorching 100 the place it stayed for 10 weeks. The album additionally earned West three Grammys, together with his second consecutive win for finest rap album. West’s sophomore album proved to be much more profitable than his debut, and the file has since discovered success on streaming platforms like Spotify, the place it boasts over one billion streams.

The Hype

She might at the moment be on a worldwide stadium tour in help of her Grammy-winning Renaissance album, however, as soon as upon a time, even Beyoncé needed to sort out the notorious sophomore album. In 2003, Queen Bey launched her debut solo studio album Dangerously In Love. The set debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 317,000 copies offered, scored 4 consecutive prime 5 hits on the Scorching 100 together with the No. 1 singles “Loopy In Love” and “Child Boy,” and earned Beyoncé a whopping 5 Grammy Awards. As an alternative of instantly pumping out a follow-up to her blockbuster debut, Beyoncé returned to Future’s Youngster for one last album — 2004’s chart-topping Future Fulfilled. She then additional delayed manufacturing on her second album to movie The Pink Panther, which spawned yet one more Scorching 100 No. 1 for the Houston native in “Examine On It.” When Beyoncé landed the lead function within the movie adaptation of Dreamgirls, she informed Billboard, “I’m not going to jot down for the album till I end doing the film.” Evidently, the Beyhive was going by it as they waited three years for Beyoncé’s subsequent solo album.

Did It Dwell Up?

Duh, it’s Beyoncé. B’Day launched atop the Billboard 200 with 541,000 copies offered in its first week. Whereas the set’s preliminary efficiency was a bit rocky — it fell out of the highest 10 after simply three weeks — the resounding success of its singles helped the album regular its footing and finally attain over 5 million copies offered within the U.S. alone. B’Day took residence the Grammy Award for finest modern R&B album, and spawned two Scorching 100 prime 10 singles — the Jay-Z-assisted “Deja Vu” (No. 4) and the 10-week chart-topper “Irreplaceable” — together with a 3rd, the Shakira duet “Stunning Liar” (No. 3), with its Deluxe Version reissue. As well as, the album and its reissue housed cult classics like “Kitty Kat” and “Get Me Bodied,” in addition to her Dreamgirls soundtrack hit “Hear” and a duet with Alejandro Fernández titled “Amor Gitano,” the best-selling single of all time in Spain, per Guinness World Information.

The Hype

Very like Queen Bey, there was as soon as a time when the Easter Egg Queen needed to bounce the sophomore album hurdle. Launched in 2006, Taylor Swift’s eponymous debut album launched the world to a blue-eyed curly-haired younger girl who would quickly turn into one of many greatest crossover sensations within the historical past of recorded music. The album was a sleeper hit, initially debuting on the Billboard 200 at No. 19 with 40,000 copies offered, and finally rising into the longest-charting 2000s album on the chart. Taylor Swift offered over 1,000,000 copies in its first 12 months of launch, due to the success of the album’s 5 consecutive prime 40 Scorching 100 hits: “Tim McGraw” (No. 40), “Teardrops On My Guitar” (No. 13), “Our Tune” (No. 16), “Image To Burn” (No. 28), “Ought to’ve Stated No” (No. 33). Taylor Swift additionally secured the younger singer numerous awards and honors from the Grammys, MTV VMAs, and ACM Awards.

Did It Dwell Up?

Completely. Fearless opened atop the Billboard 200 with 592,000 first-week copies offered. The album spent 11 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 — greater than some other album within the 2000s decade — and launched 5 prime 5 hits on the Scorching 100, together with signature hits resembling “Love Story” (No. 4) and “You Belong With Me” (No. 2). Fearless turned Taylor’s first file to win album of the 12 months on the Grammys and nonetheless holds the file for longest keep atop the Billboard 200 for a feminine nation album. Swift’s sophomore file additionally made her simply the second nation artist, following The Chicks, to win the three highest awards for a rustic music album from the Academy of Nation Music, the Grammys, and the Nation Music Affiliation. Critics lauded the album, and, in 2017, it was finally awarded a Diamond certification by the RIAA in recognition of over 10 million copies offered. Fearless laid the groundwork for a collection of historic first-week gross sales numbers for Taylor, in addition to the inspiration for her eventual conquering of each nation and pop.

The Hype

In 2008, a frothy pop-rock album launched the world to a brand new pop star by the identify of Katy Perry. Though it was technically her second studio album — her modern Christian music debut beneath the identify Katy Hudson is usually disregarded — One of many Boys is the file that launched Perry into mainstream prominence. The album debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 with 47,000 copies offered off the power of its Scorching 100 No. 1 lead single “I Kissed A Woman.” Three extra prime 40 Scorching 100 hits adopted — “Scorching n Chilly” (No. 3), “Waking Up In Vegas” (No. 9), “Considering of You” (No. 29) — finally serving to the album cross over 1.7 million copies offered by August 2020. Each “I Kissed A Woman” and “Scorching n Chilly” earned Perry Grammy nominations, and the entire album’s singles helped lay the inspiration for pop radio dominance within the years to return. One of many Boys was successful by each doable metric, so anticipation for Perry’s subsequent file was understandably excessive.

Did It Dwell Up?

With out query. One of the profitable albums in Billboard historical past, Teenage Dream bowed atop the Billboard 200 with 192,000 copies offered, launched 5 consecutive Scorching 100 No. 1 singles, and earned Perry her first and solely Grammy Award nomination for album of the 12 months. With Teenage Dream, Perry turned the primary feminine artist — and second artist following Michael Jackson — to earn 5 No. 1 singles from one album over its first launch. In 2012, Perry reissued the album as Teenage Dream: The Full Confection, securing yet one more Scorching 100 chart-topper (“A part of Me”), in addition to the No. 2-peaking “Extensive Awake.” In 2022, the RIAA awarded Teenage Dream a 9x platinum certification in recognition of over 9 million items offered within the U.S. It was as an absolute behemoth of an album, and simply one of the vital profitable sophomore information of all time. If any artist is nervous about doubtlessly struggling a sophomore droop, they’d do effectively to evaluate the Katy Perry playbook.

The Hype

Only one 12 months after Katy Perry launched her record-breaking sophomore album, Adele arrived with a monster sophomore file of her personal. The street to 21, nonetheless, was a bit quieter than the street to Teenage Dream. In 2008, Adele made her formal debut with 19 — a young, ballad-laden set that debuted at No. 61 on the Billboard 200, the start of a sluggish burn that might assist her develop into one of many best-selling artists in music historical past. As singles like “Chasing Pavements” and “Make You Really feel My Love” continued to achieve steam and Adele saved selling the album Stateside, the album caught round on the charts with its gross sales rising incrementally week by week. In 2009, after successful finest new artist and finest feminine pop vocal efficiency on the Grammys, 19 rose to No. 10 on the Billboard 200. Adele earned myriad “finest new artist” citations from publications and establishments on either side of the pond, and the set’s sluggish and regular industrial efficiency primed her for an absolute takeover along with her sophomore file.

Did It Dwell Up?

21 at the moment ranks because the best-performing Billboard 200 album of all time, so sure. Adele’s sophomore album earned a Diamond certification from the RIAA, spawned three Scorching 100 No. 1 singles (“Rolling within the Deep,” “Somebody Like You” and “Set Hearth to the Rain”), and have become the best-selling album digital album of all time. In reality, the album is credited for serving to Adele’s label’s financial institution steadiness balloon from £3 million to £32 million in simply 12 months. The album’s lead single, “Rolling within the Deep,” turned the most important crossover radio hit in 25 years. “Somebody Like You,” the set’s second single, turned the very first solely piano-and-vocal No. 1 hit in Scorching 100 historical past. The album even yielded two beloved extra singles — “Hearsay Has It” and “Turning Tables” — following its preliminary hat trick. Incomes seven Grammy Awards, 5 Guinness World Information, and prime honors on the BRIT Awards and Billboard Music Awards, 21 completely smashed the “sophomore droop” curse.

The Hype

Earlier than he was topped Billboard’s Artist of the Decade (2010s), Drake kicked off the last decade with the discharge of his 2010 debut studio album Thank Me Later. That includes collaborations with the likes of Nicki Minaj and Alicia Keys, Thank Me Later debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 447,000 copies offered. The set launched 4 consecutive prime 40 hits on the Scorching 100, together with the tope5 hit “Discover Your Love.” Having already earned a lot goodwill from his So Far Gone mixtape, the success of Thank Me Later solely stoked the flames of anticipation for Drake’s follow-up. A 12 months earlier than the discharge of Take Care, Drake informed BBC radio, “I didn’t get to take the time that I wished to on [Thank Me Later]… That’s why my new album known as Take Care, as a result of I get to take my time this go-round.” A pair of singles preceded “Take Care”: the emotional rap ballad “Marvin’s Room” (No. 21) and the hard-hitting “Headlines” (No. 13). The success of those two songs coupled with a minor delay as a result of pattern clearance points resulted in a fanbase clamoring for Drake’s full sophomore file.

Did It Dwell Up?

Take Care bowed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 631,000 copies offered, a 41% gross sales enhance from Thank Me Later’s first week. Along with its first two singles, the album additionally launched three additional prime 15 hits on the Scorching 100: “Make Me Proud” (No. 9), “The Motto” (No. 14) and “Take Care” (No. 7). Drake’s sophomore file additionally earned the Canadian his very first Grammy Award thank to his triumph in the most effective rap album class. Lauded by critics, the set was named the most effective of the 12 months by a number of publications and shortly earned citations as one of many best albums of all time from Rolling Stone. Take Care additionally spawned “Crew Love,” the set’s last single which peaked at No. 80 on the Scorching 100, turning into The Weeknd’s first look on the rating. Billboard just lately named Take Care is likely one of the 15 best-performing Twenty first-century albums with none of its singles hitting No. 1 on the Scorching 100. In brief, the file was a verifiable success, additional cementing Drake as a pressure of nature within the music business.

The Hype

It’s near-impossible to explain how Woman Gaga enraptured the world when she stepped onto the scene with The Fame and its subsequent reissue, The Fame Monster. Gaga’s 2008 debut was preceded by lead single “Simply Dance,” a seismic dance-pop file that climbed to a peak of No. 1 on the Scorching 100. The album had a less-than-splashy debut on the Billboard 200, getting into at No. 17, however the continued success of “Simply Dance” and follow-up Scorching 100 prime 10 hits “Poker Face” (No. 1), “LoveGame” (No. 5) and “Paparazzi” (No. 6) helped The Fame attain a brand new Billboard 200 peak of No. 2 a bit over a 12 months after its debut on the chart.

The brand new peak was additionally bolstered by the discharge of The Fame Monster, a venture that doubled as a deluxe reissue of The Fame and a standalone EP. The Fame Monster spawned an extra three Scorching 100 prime 10 hits: “Unhealthy Romance” (No. 2), “Alejandro” (No. 5), and the Beyoncé-assisted “Phone” (No. 3). Clearly, the success of The Fame and The Fame Monster set expectations for Gaga’s correct sophomore file sky excessive, however the pop auteur additionally performed into her personal hype. Whereas on her Monster Ball tour in help of her debut album, Gaga proclaimed. “Not for nothing, the album’s completed and it’s f–king actually good. I promise to provide the best album of this decade.”

Did It Dwell Up?

Sure. Born This Method launched atop the Billboard 200 with a whopping 1,108,000 copies offered in its first week of availability, a determine that is still a career-best for Gaga. The set spawned 4 consecutive prime 10 hits on the Scorching 100 together with the No. 1 hit single “Born This Method.” Gaga’s sophomore file earned three Grammy nominations, together with her third consecutive nod for album of the 12 months. As per the IFPI, Born This Method completed 2011 because the world’s third best-selling album. The album’s title monitor has endured as one the preeminent LGBTQIA+ anthems of the Twenty first century, and its album tracks have retained their attract, as evidenced by “Bloody Mary” turning into a streaming and radio hit a decade after the album’s unique launch. Whereas the album isn’t essentially a consensus decide for “best album of the 2010s,” it’s undeniably one of the vital culturally related and commercially profitable releases of that decade.

The Hype

Lengthy earlier than he dominated a pair of Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present performances and dominated the world with hits like “Uptown Funk” and “Go away The Door Open,” Bruno Mars was a fedora-sporting pop singer with only one studio album beneath his belt. The album in query? 2010’s Doo-Wops & Hooligans — a chart-busting file that spawned the Diamond-certified Scorching 100 No. 1 singles “Simply The Method You Are,” which earned him his first Grammy Award, and “Grenade,” in addition to the No. 4 hit “The Lazy Tune.” Bruno’s debut entered the Billboard 200 at No. 3 with 55,000 items offered, finally rising into the longest-charting debut album in Billboard 200 historical past (629 weeks). Even the singles that didn’t attain the highest 10 of the Scorching 100 — “Rely On Me,” “Runaway Child,” “Marry You” and “Speaking To The Moon” — all secured multiplatinum certifications and made sizable cultural and industrial impacts.

With 70% of the album’s tracklist turning into bonafide smash hits, all eyes have been on Bruno as he readied the follow-up to his seismic career-launching debut. In an interview with Billboard forward of the discharge of Unorthodox Jukebox, Mars revealed, “They made me change a few issues on [Doo-Wops] and I felt disgusted about that. I didn’t do this on this album. If I can’t be me doing it, I’m not going to have any enjoyable.” With extra freedom in his grasp, Mars appeared able to make a fair larger splash together with his sophomore album.

Did It Dwell Up?

Sure. Unorthodox Jukebox began at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 192,000 copies offered. Twelve weeks later, due to the continued success of the album’s singles and an Amazon low cost promotion, Unorthodox Jukebox turned Mars’ first title to prime the Billboard 200. The set launched myriad hit singles, together with two extra Diamond-certified Scorching 100 chart-toppers (“Once I Was Your Man” and “Locked Out of Heaven”), in addition to the No. 5 hit “Treasure.” Unorthodox Jukebox obtained 4 Grammy nominations, in the end triumphing in finest pop vocal album. He supported the file with The Moonshine Jungle Tour, a 144-date trek that grossed over $130 million. Acclaimed by followers and critics alike, Unorthodox Jukebox cemented Mars as one of the vital profitable stars of his class. The album at the moment ranks because the No. 55 best-performing title in Billboard 200 historical past.

The Hype

All of us keep in mind the place we have been when a younger child from Canada with a bowl minimize and an affinity for the colour purple exploded onto the scene. Again in 2010, Justin Bieber launched My World 2.0, his debut studio album. Supported by the seminal pop smash “Child,” which peaked at No. 5 on the Scorching 100, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 283,000 copies offered, finally crossing the a million mark in lower than a 12 months of launch. Bieber’s debut additionally housed the Scorching 100 prime 20 hits “Eenie Meenie” (with Sean Kingston) and “Anyone To Love” (with Usher). Following My World 2.0, Bieber launched By no means Say By no means: The Remixes, his second No. 1 album, and Below the Mistletoe, a vacation album whose title monitor has turn into a recent Christmastime favourite. As Bieber prepped his sophomore file, he appeared to transition away from the teen-pop of his debut whereas nonetheless satisfying the legions of followers that introduced him a lot success.

Did It Dwell Up?

Sure. Consider debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 374,000 copies offered in its first week. The album launched a litany of hit singles, together with lead single “Boyfriend” (No. 2), the Huge Sean-featuring “As Lengthy As You Love Me” (No. 6), the Nicki Minaj-assisted “Magnificence And A Beat” (No. 5), and Ludacris collab “All Round The World” (No. 22). Even bonus tracks and deep cuts like “Maria,” “Die In Your Arms,” and “Love Me Like You Do” made influence amongst Bieber’s followers. A savvy combination of dance-pop and R&B, the album drew a good reception from critics. The file earned Bieber nominations and honors on the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Juno Awards. Consider completed because the eleventh greatest album of 2012, as per Billboard, and obtained a worldwide live performance tour that grossed over $200 million.

The Hype

Bear in mind when everybody’s favourite “Tremendous Freaky Woman” had only one studio album beneath her belt? 2010’s Pink Friday — a landmark album that peaked atop the Billboard 200 and scored a plethora of hit singles, together with the timeless Scorching 100 No. 3 hit “Tremendous Bass” — helped Nicki Minaj transition from much-lauded rising rapper to bonafide music famous person. The album was an plain success, incomes the second-highest gross sales week of all time for a feminine rapper and launching six prime 40 hits on the Scorching 100. Pink Friday additionally earned Minaj her first Grammy nominations for her personal work.

Furthermore, the Queens rapper’s Pink Friday period additionally discovered her scoring a number of Scorching 100 hits as a featured artist, due to her contributions to songs like Huge Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” (No. 10), David Guetta’s “Flip Me On” (No. 4) and Madonna’s “Give Me All Your Luvin’” (No. 10). In an interview with Ryan Seacrest following the premiere of “Starships,” the lead single for Minaj’s sophomore album, she stated, “I’ve by no means had this a lot enjoyable recording music in my life. My first album I used to be very guarded. I felt like I used to be making music to please everybody else. I needed to be politically right, however this album I’m simply creating music, and there’s such a giant distinction.” With newfound freedom in tow, Minaj was able to proceed her success with Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.

Did It Dwell Up?

Sure (with a small caveat). Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 253,000 copies offered. Led by the highest 5 Scorching 100 hit “Starships” Minaj’s sophomore album discovered her bridging her rap roots with a pivot in the direction of the dominant EDM and dance-pop of the time. Though some critics used the album’s dance-heavy sound to low cost Minaj’s artistry and rap capacity, she was nonetheless capable of flip the album right into a profitable follow-up to Pink Friday. Though they carried out much less impressively on the Billboard 200, songs like “Silly Hoe,” “Roman Vacation” and “Beez within the Entice” (with 2 Chainz) proved to turn into enduring hits in Minaj’s catalog. Seven months after the album’s launch, Minaj reissued the file as Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded — The Re-Up, which spawned extra hit singles like “Excessive College” (with Lil Wayne) and “The Boys” (with Cassie). Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded completed the 12 months because the best-selling hip-hop album launched in 2012.

The Hype

Again in 2013, Ariana Grande arrived on the pop scene with Yours Actually, her doo-wop-indebted debut studio album. The file debuted and peaked on the summit of the Billboard 200, and spawned the Scorching 100 prime 10 hit “The Method” (with Mac Miller). Grande’s show-stopping vocals rapidly made her a family identify for individuals who weren’t already aware of her by her work with Nickelodeon. Yours Actually obtained favorable critiques from critics and helped lay the inspiration for her sophomore file’s imminent dominance. After dropping off Christmas Kisses, a vacation EP, in December 2013, Grande targeted her consideration squarely on her follow-up to Yours Actually. In reality, in the course of the promotional tour for Yours Actually, Grande confirmed that she had already begun work on her sophomore album, which she wished to “perform a little bit completely different.”

Did It Dwell Up?

With out query. My The whole lot debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 169,000 copies offered in its first week. The album was preceded by three smash hit singles: “Drawback” (No. 2), “Break Free” (No. 4) and “Bang Bang” (No. 3), all three of which concurrently ranked within the prime 10 of the Scorching 100 simply two weeks earlier than their dad or mum album hit the charts. Grande additionally squeezed out an extra prime 10 hit with The Weeknd-assisted “Love Me More durable” (No. 7). There was additionally “One Final Time,” the album’s last single which peaked at No. 13 throughout its preliminary Scorching 100 run and later discovered new life as an anthem of remembrance following a lethal terrorist assault at a 2016 Grande live performance in Manchester, England. My The whole lot garnered Grande her first two Grammy nominations, drew extra acclaim from critics, and helped the singer launch her first enviornment live performance tour.

The Hype

When Ed Sheeran kicked off his Arithmetic collection again in 2011, +, his debut studio album, yielded numerous memorable hits. From the Grammy-nominated “The A-Group” to “Lego Home,” the guitar-touting singer-songwriter rapidly made a reputation for himself on either side of the pond. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 with 42,000 copies offered in its first week. In an interview main as much as the discharge of x, Sheeran stated that he bought into the studio with famed producer Rick Rubin to “rerecord all of the songs” he wrote two years prior. The method, Sheeran stated, made the songs sound “uncooked and fascinating” even when he had been sitting with them for some time. Sheeran’s debut primarily consisted of tender acoustic ballads, however all indicators have been pointing to extra distinguished hip-hop and R&B influences on his follow-up.

Did It Dwell Up?

Completely. X debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 210,000 copies offered, Sheeran’s first No. 1 album within the U.S. Lead single “Sing” previewed the album and have become Sheeran’s highest-charting Scorching 100 entry on the time (No. 15). The next singles, nonetheless, really cemented x as a industrial juggernaut. Second single “Don’t” turned Sheeran’s first prime 10 hit on the Scorching 100 (No. 9), “Considering Out Loud” grew into one in all his signature songs and one of the vital profitable singles of the 2010s (No. 2) and “{Photograph}” gave the album one last prime 10 hit (No. 10). In keeping with the IFPI, x was the world’s third best-selling album of 2014 and the world’s second best-selling album of 2015. Acquired positively by critics, x additionally collected a slew of business honors — together with 5 Grammy nominations, in the end successful track of the 12 months and finest pop vocal efficiency, each for “Considering Out Loud.”

The Hype

After taking the hip-hop world by storm with Part.80, his debut studio album, Kendrick Lamar was set to beat the universe with good child, m.A.A.d. metropolis, his main label debut and sophomore studio album. The album debuted with minimal promotion and protection from mainstream media, promoting simply 5,000 copies in its first week — good for a No. 113 entry on the Billboard 200. Nonetheless, the album made an influence the place it was meant. Hip-hop circles lauded the venture, and tracks like “A.D.H.D.,” “HiiiiPoWeR,” “Rigamortis,” and “Kush & Corinthians” emerged as fan favorites. The success of Part.80 quickly gave approach to a file take care of a serious label. Lamar signed a take care of Interscope Information and Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Leisure, selecting to stay with Prime Dawg’s in-house producers as he prepped his subsequent file. In an interview, Lamar outlined a return to his roots for his main label debut; “Again to the neighborhood and [going] again in that very same house the place we was once, bought [me] impressed. So this album gained’t sound like Part.80,” he mused.

Did It Dwell Up?

Completely. good child, m.A.A.d. metropolis roared onto the Billboard 200 at No. 2 with 242,000 copies offered and a few of the most rapturous popularity of any mainstream rap album of 2010s bar his personal later initiatives. Two singles preceded the album, “The Recipe,” a Dr. Dre collab that didn’t enter the Scorching 100, and “Swimming Swimming pools” a slow-burning smash that peaked at No. 17 and earned Lamar a Grammy nod for finest rap efficiency. Three extra hit singles adopted (“Poetic Justice,” “B—h, Don’t Kill My Vibe” and “Backseat Freestyle”), completely positioning Lamar for a blowout Grammy evening. Lamar entered the 2014 Grammys with seven nominations (5 for good child and its tracks) and left the ceremony empty-handed. His loss to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in the most effective rap album class stays one of the vital notorious and derided choices in Grammy historical past, a lot in order that Macklemore even apologized to Lamar by way of textual content for the Recording Academy’s blunder. Kendrick’s sophomore album helped him morph into not only a mainstream rapper but additionally a burgeoning pop star.

The Hype

Harry Kinds was all the time destined for greatness, and he laid a sturdy basis for a profitable solo profession together with his eponymous debut solo studio album. Launched by the sweeping Scorching 100 prime 5 hit “Signal of the Instances” (No. 4), Harry Kinds opened atop the Billboard 200 with 230,000 items offered — the best first gross sales week for a British male soloist’s debut LP. The album’s subsequent singles didn’t make as sturdy of a chart influence as “Signal of the Instances,” however tracks like “Kiwi,” “Carolina,” and “Ever Since New York” proved to be fan favorites and stay live performance highlights. Harry Kinds completed 2017 because the fourth best-selling album by a British artist worldwide and the ninth best-selling album on the earth. As Kinds prepped his follow-up, he revealed that his sophomore file can be “all about having intercourse and feeling unhappy.”

Did It Dwell Up?

Off the power of lead single “Lights Up,” which peaked at No. 17 on the Scorching 100, devoted followers, and residual goodwill from his followers, Wonderful Line debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 478,000 items offered. The large debut proved to be the start of a industrial re-peak for Kinds. Two of the album’s later singles — “Adore You” and “Watermelon Sugar” — spent ample time within the prime 10 of the Scorching 100, with the latter turning into Kinds’ first No. 1 single within the U.S. “Watermelon Sugar” additionally earned Kinds his first Grammy, which he gained for finest pop solo efficiency. In keeping with Nielsen SoundScan, Wonderful Line was the fifth best-selling album of 2019 in pure gross sales, and it completed that with simply half a month on the clock. The album clocked the most important gross sales week from a British male artist within the SoundScan period, and at the moment stands as one in all solely three albums launched in 2019 to have offered a million copies in pure album gross sales within the U.S. Lauded by critics, Wonderful Line additionally appeared on numerous year-end, decade-end, and all-time album rankings, additional cementing the star as one of many greatest and brightest artists of his class.

The Hype

About two years earlier than she tackled her sophomore period, Billie Eilish led a brand new class of pop stars into the mainstream along with her wildly profitable and rapturously acclaimed debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, The place Do We Go? The album opened atop the Billboard 200 with 313,000 items offered. The set carried out impressively on the chart, serving to Eilish turn into the youngest feminine artist to spend a couple of week atop the Billboard 200 in 20 years since Britney Spears led the rating for a number of frames with …Child One Extra Time in 1999. The singles marketing campaign for Eilish’s debut stretched from the summer time of 2018 to the spring of 2020, yielding a slew of Scorching 100 hits together with “Unhealthy Man” (No. 1), “Bury a Good friend” (No. 14) and “When the Occasion’s Over” (No. 29).

The set additionally earned Eilish a whopping 5 Grammys — 4 of which she gained within the Common Subject, making her the primary girl in Grammy historical past to triumph within the ceremony’s 4 main classes in the identical 12 months. Eilish’s debut completed 2019 because the best-performing Billboard 200 album of the 12 months and the world’s fifth best-selling album of the 12 months. Following her debut album, Eilish additionally unleashed “No Time to Die,” a Grammy and Oscar-winning Bond theme, and “The whole lot I Needed,” a Grammy-winning Scorching 100 prime 10 hit. Evidently, Eilish’s sophomore file had lots to stay as much as.

Did It Dwell Up?

Sure and no. Sporting heavy bossa nova and jazz influences, in addition to a newly bleach-blonde Eilish, Happier Than Ever marked a stark tonal, aesthetic, and sonic shift for the younger singer. A lot of the album’s marketing campaign unfolded proper after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In reality, a complete 12 months handed between the discharge of “My Future,” the set’s lead single, and the album’s full launch. Happier Than Ever debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 238,000 items offered, a 24% lower from her debut.

Eilish managed to squeeze three prime 10 hits out of the album — “My Future” (No. 6), “Due to this fact I Am” (No. 2) and “Your Energy” (No. 10) — though none of them hit the highest of the Scorching 100. Arguably the album’s signature track, “Happier Than Ever,” the set’s rousing two-part title monitor, peaked at No. 11. Happier Than Ever was warmly obtained by critics — although maybe much less feverishly than her debut — whereas some followers bemoaned Eilish’s shift away from the darker aesthetics and entice influences of her first file. Eilish’s sophomore album earned seven Grammy nominations and misplaced each single one. Removed from a bomb, however nonetheless miles away from the unanimous vital and industrial success of her debut, Happier Than Ever discovered Eilish retaining her footing regular as an alternative of utterly cracking beneath the stress of the sophomore album, and that’s greater than ok.

The Hype

Though he has but to go to the highest 10 of the Scorching 100 for the reason that summer time of 2020, Roddy Ricch started the last decade with a pair of huge Scorching 100 No. 1 hits. Roddy dominated the hotter months of the 12 months alongside DaBaby with “Rockstar,” but it surely was “The Field,” his runaway smash hit from that winter, that heralded the Los Angeles rapper as the last decade’s hottest new rap star. “The Field” sat atop the Scorching 100 for 11 weeks and its dad or mum album, Please Excuse Me For Being Delinquent, spent 4 weeks atop the Billboard 200 between 2019 and 2020, debuting at No. 1 with 101,000 items offered. The album completed 2020 because the third best-performing Billboard 200 album of the 12 months.

With prime honors on the BET Awards and Apple Music Awards and a triumph within the favourite rap/hip-hop album class on the American Music Awards, Roddy Ricch was on prime of the world with Please Excuse Me For Being Delinquent. In a GQ interview previewing his subsequent album, Roddy stated, “It’s actually not about it being prepared or not prepared. It’s extra in regards to the timing. I actually simply drop once I really feel prefer it. The following album goes to be a full-blown masterpiece. An actual concept. An actual physique of labor.”

Did It Dwell Up?

No. Dwell Life Quick, Roddy’s sophomore file, yielded only one official single: “Late at Evening,” which topped out at No. 20 on the Scorching 100. The album opened at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 with 62,000 items offered, a 38% gross sales lower from his debut regardless of having a a lot excessive profile. The album was negatively obtained by critics and followers alike, with Roddy enduring some intense social media hate, as outlined in an episode of Hulu’s RapCaviar Presents docuseries. Regardless of a star-studded tracklist that includes the likes of Jamie Foxx, Future and 21 Savage, the album spent simply 10 weeks on the Billboard 200.

The Hype

Half a decade separated SZA’s debut and sophomore albums, and within the interim, the R&B savant expertly stoked the flames of anticipation to the tune of probably the most commercially profitable 12 months of her profession up to now. Again in 2017, SZA’s debut album opened at No. 3 with 60,000 items offered. Due to rave critiques, speedy fan embrace and the success of hit singles like “Love Galore” (with Travis Scott) and “The Weeknd,” the album continued to develop, finally lasting over 300 weeks on the Billboard 200 and reaching over three million items offered. Ctrl additionally earned SZA 5 Grammy nominations, though she misplaced every one in all them.

As Ctrl chugged alongside, SZA made some good enterprise choices to solidify her place on pop radio. “What Lovers Do,” her collaboration with Maroon 5, turned her first prime 10 hit on the Scorching 100 with a No. 9 peak in late 2017. The next 12 months, she teamed up with then-label mate Kendrick Lamar for the Oscar-nominated “All of the Stars” (No. 7) from the Black Panther soundtrack. Two years later, SZA earned her first prime 5 hit on the Scorching 100 with “Kiss Me Extra” (with Doja Cat), which additionally earned her first Grammy win. With a sturdy basis on pop radio and a prolonged singles marketing campaign that mixed the facility of TikTok with three beloved pre-release singles (Scorching 100 prime 10 hits “Good Days” and “I Hate U,” in addition to the No. 11-peaking “Shirt), SZA’s sophomore file was completely primed for max success.

Did It Dwell Up?

Unquestionably. SOS debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 318,000 items moved, spending a complete of 10 non-consecutive weeks on the chart’s summit. The album was additionally a streaming juggernaut, incomes practically 405 million on-demand streams and breaking the file for the most important streaming week ever for an R&B album. “Kill Invoice” rapidly turned the runaway hit from the album, finally turning into SZA’s first track to prime the Scorching 100. Twenty of the album’s songs debuted on the Scorching 100, serving to SZA accumulate yet one more prime 10 hit with “No one Will get Me” (No. 10). Just lately, “Snooze,” the album’s sixth radio single, reached a brand new peak of No. 13 on the Scorching 100, practically six months after it first appeared on the chart. Critics and followers adored the album, and regardless of its December launch, the file nonetheless appeared on a number of 2022 year-end lists. Though awards season hasn’t fairly began but, SOS has already picked up an Album of the 12 months win on the 2023 BET Awards, the place it tied with Beyoncé’s Renaissance. The prolonged wait between Ctrl and SOS threatened to push followers to their restrict, however SZA performed the sport completely and is constant to reap the advantages.

The Hype

There aren’t many artists who’ve had as huge of a debut as Olivia Rodrigo. She took the music business and all the world by storm when “Drivers License,” her Grammy-winning official debut single, debuted atop the Scorching 100 with record-breaking streaming numbers. She quickly adopted that up with “Deja Vu,” one other Scorching 100 prime 5 hit (No. 4), and “Good 4 U,” one other No. 1 smash. Bitter, her debut studio album, opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 295,000 items moved. The file spent 5 non-consecutive weeks atop the rating and garnered each the second-biggest streaming week for an album by a feminine artist within the U.S. and the most important streaming week in historical past for a debut album by a feminine artist. Bitter introduced Rodrigo a big assortment of awards, together with three Grammys: finest new artist, finest pop solo efficiency, and finest pop vocal album. All 11 of the album’s songs reached the highest 30 of the Scorching 100, and every monitor has moved at the least a million items within the U.S. Bitter has additionally spent probably the most weeks within the prime 10 of the Billboard 200 for a Twenty first-century debut album.

Did It Dwell Up?

That is still to be seen. But when the speedy love for lead single “Vampire” is something to go by, Olivia Rodrigo will in all probability be simply tremendous.