Another day, another No. 1 debut for Drake. This time, he’s bringing longtime collaborator PARTYNEXTDOOR along for the ride. Their latest project, $$$4U, is projected to take the top spot on the Billboard 200 with an impressive 250,000 first-week sales—proving once again that the OVO camp remains unstoppable.
Dropping on February 14, 2025, the album instantly sent shockwaves through the industry, racking up 56.6 million first-day Spotify streams—the second-largest debut of the year behind The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow. Apple Music also felt the heat, with $$$4U smashing the record for the biggest single-day streams for an R&B album. It’s safe to say that fans were feeling the love on Valentine’s Day.
Of course, the success doesn’t come without a little controversy. Some critics and social media sleuths have accused Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR of borrowing a little too much inspiration, with artists like Freddie Gibbs and John River hinting at potential plagiarism. Whether these claims hold weight or not, the numbers don’t lie—$$$4U is still running up the score.
Across the pond, however, the album’s UK reception hasn’t been as dominant, currently on track to debut at No. 4—marking Drake’s lowest studio album debut in the region since 2011. But let’s be real—Drake could drop a voicemail recording, and it would still top playlists worldwide.
With chart-topping success, record-breaking streams, and a little industry drama sprinkled in, $$$4U is shaping up to be one of the biggest R&B drops of the year. Are Drake and PND the ultimate hit-making duo? Let us know what you think.
