It’s a No. 1 album for Atlanta rapper 21 Savage, as his “I Am > I Was” will bow at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart on Jan. 5.
The new release accumulated 131,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Dec. 27, according to Nielsen Music, with 18,000 of the sum traditional album sales. The Billboard chart now ranks albums based on “multi-metric consumption,” including traditional album sales, track equivalent albums and streaming equivalent albums. 21 Savage’s release earned the majority of impressions via streaming.
Although “I Am > I Was” includes guest appearances from Migos’ Offset, Travis Scott, Childish Gambino and Post Malone, none of the artists are credited on the album, 21 Savage’s second studio effort and his first to top the Billboard 200.
His debut solo album, “Issa Album,” landed at No. 1 in July 2017, while his collaboration with Offset and Metro Boomin’, “Without Warning,” hit No. 4 in November 2017.
Last week, 21 Savage hosted a holiday giving event for 21 local kids through his Leading By Example Foundation, along with financial literacy-focused organizations Juma and GetSchooled. The Atlanta teens are enrolled in 21 Savage’s “Bank Account” financial literacy program and were each awarded $1,000 gift cards donated by Amazon Music.
