For the week ending August 23, 2025, the rap music landscape saw a familiar face at the summit of album sales, with Gunna’s “The Last Wun” leading the pack. The charts this week continue to reflect the sustained appeal of established artists, as Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, The Creator’s recent projects demonstrate remarkable longevity, while Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR and Chance The Rapper round out the top five, showcasing the vibrant and competitive nature of hip-hop music.
Gunna’s “The Last Wun” Ascends to Number One
Gunna’s latest offering, “The Last Wun,” has captured the top position this week, moving an impressive 48,000 units. Released on August 8, 2025, this album marks Gunna’s sixth studio effort and is notable as his final project under the YSL Records umbrella. The 25-track collection features a diverse array of guest artists, including Offset, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Nechie, and Asake, with Turbo serving as executive producer. “The Last Wun” is a personal offering from the Atlanta rapper, exploring themes of introspection and life experiences. This strong weekly performance follows its debut at number three on the Billboard 200 chart with 80,000 units sold in its first week, indicating sustained interest from his fanbase.
Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR’s “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” Maintains Momentum
The collaborative project from Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR, “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U,” continues to resonate with listeners, securing the second spot this week with 23,000 units sold. Released on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025, the album was a significant event, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 with a massive 246,000 equivalent album units. The project, a blend of R&B and hip-hop, showcases the artistic synergy between the two Canadian stars. Its enduring presence on the charts, even months after its release, speaks to the deep connection Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR have cultivated with their audience.
Chance The Rapper’s “STAR LINE” Makes a Strong Chart Entry
Chance The Rapper’s long-awaited second studio album, “STAR LINE,” has entered the top five this week, selling 22,000 units. Officially released on August 15, 2025, the album is described as being steeped in travel and personal change, incorporating various life lessons and sounds encountered by the artist. “STAR LINE” serves as a follow-up to his 2019 album, “The Big Day,” and features a comprehensive list of collaborators, including BabyChiefDoit, BJ the Chicago Kid, Lil Wayne, Smino, and Jazmine Sullivan. While it debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200, its steady sales this week highlight a dedicated fanbase eager to engage with Chance’s evolving artistry.
Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, The Creator Showcase Unwavering Popularity
Demonstrating remarkable staying power, Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” and Tyler, The Creator’s “DON’T TAP THE GLASS” both landed in a tie for fourth place this week, each selling 20,000 units. Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX,” surprise-released in November 2024, continues its impressive run. The album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 319,000 units, has been lauded for its reimagining of West Coast hip-hop and its cultural impact, including a memorable halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX. Its sustained performance months after release underscores Lamar’s position as a dominant force in the genre.
Similarly, Tyler, The Creator’s ninth studio album, “DON’T TAP THE GLASS,” released on July 21, 2025, is proving to be a commercial success. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and offers a genre-bending mix of hip-hop, dance, house, funk, and techno. Its concise, high-energy format has clearly struck a chord with fans, keeping it firmly in the conversation of top-selling albums despite its relatively recent release.
The Evolving Chart Landscape of Hip Hop Music
These sales figures for the week of August 23, 2025, paint a picture of a robust and dynamic hip-hop market. The continued success of albums released months prior, like Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX,” highlights the enduring power of strong artistic statements and strategic marketing in the streaming era. Billboard’s methodology, which now incorporates streaming data alongside traditional sales, accurately reflects how music is consumed today. The genre continues to thrive, with artists finding innovative ways to connect with their audiences, whether through surprise releases, extensive tours, or genre-blending sounds.
As 2025 progresses, the stories told through these album sales underscore the genre’s significant cultural and economic impact. The top-selling rap albums this week are not just numbers; they represent artistic achievements and the unwavering loyalty of fan bases in the ever-evolving world of music.
