Cardi B's second studio album, Am I the Drama?, has debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. This achievement solidifies her position in the music industry, making her the first female rapper to have two albums debut at the top of the chart.
The album earned 200,000 equivalent album units in its first week. This total includes significant contributions from streaming and pure sales, marking a major success for the Bronx artist.
Key Takeaways
- Am I the Drama? debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
- Cardi B is the first female rapper with two number one album debuts.
- The album achieved 200,000 first-week units.
- Streaming accounted for 145.72 million on-demand streams.
- The album has already received platinum certification from the RIAA.
Album Performance and Chart History
The success of Am I the Drama? follows Cardi B's 2018 debut album, Invasion of Privacy, which also reached number one. That album sold 255,000 first-week units. Her latest release continues this trend, highlighting her consistent popularity and commercial appeal.
Of the 200,000 first-week units for Am I the Drama?, 110,000 units came from streaming activity. This translates to an impressive 145.72 million on-demand streams. Pure sales contributed 88,000 units to the overall total.
This achievement places Cardi B ahead of other prominent artists in terms of female rap album debuts. For example, Nicki Minaj's 2010 debut, Pink Friday, initially charted at number two on the Billboard 200. This makes Cardi B's back-to-back number one debuts a unique historical marker.
Album Sales Breakdown
- Total First-Week Units: 200,000
- Streaming Equivalent Units: 110,000 (from 145.72 million on-demand streams)
- Pure Album Sales: 88,000
Impact on Female Hip-Hop History
Am I the Drama? now ranks as one of the biggest debuting albums in female hip-hop history. It holds the 11th spot on the all-time list for first-week sales. This list includes iconic albums that have shaped the genre.
Leading the all-time list is Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which sold 422,000 copies in its first week. Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday follows with 375,000 copies, and Missy Elliott's Under Construction recorded 259,000 units.
"Cardi B's consistent ability to deliver chart-topping albums demonstrates her significant influence on contemporary music and her strong connection with fans," said a representative from Atlantic Records.
If Am I the Drama? remains at the top of the Billboard 200 next week, Cardi B will achieve another historic milestone. She would become the first female rapper since Lauryn Hill in 1998 to hold the number one position for two consecutive weeks.
Top First-Week Sales for Female Rap Albums (All-Time)
- Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (422,000)
- Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday (375,000)
- Missy Elliott - Under Construction (259,000)
- ...
- Cardi B - Am I the Drama? (200,000)
Industry Sales and Certifications
In 2025, Cardi B's Am I the Drama? has achieved the highest sales tally for a female rapper. Among all rappers, her album ranks fourth. This places her behind Playboi Carti's MUSIC (298,000), Drake's $ome $exy $ongs 4 U (246,000), and Travis Scott's JackBoys 2 (232,000).
The album has also quickly earned a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This award signifies sales of at least one million units domestically. This rapid certification is partly due to the inclusion of previously released hit singles.
Understanding Platinum Certification
RIAA platinum certification is awarded when an album sells one million units in the United States. For albums, these units include pure sales and streaming equivalents. However, Billboard's first-week sales calculations for new albums do not typically count previously released singles towards the initial debut figures. The RIAA's certification process considers the cumulative sales and streams over time, including those from earlier singles that are part of the album.
The singles "WAP" and "Up," both featured on Am I the Drama?, have already achieved significant individual success. "WAP" is 9x platinum, and "Up" is 5x platinum. Their inclusion on the album contributes to its overall RIAA certification status.
This dual success of chart performance and rapid certification underscores Cardi B's continued commercial power in the music industry. Her ability to release popular singles and follow up with a highly anticipated, successful album demonstrates her enduring appeal to a wide audience.
Future Prospects and Cultural Impact
Cardi B's latest album release not only sets new records but also reinforces her cultural impact. Her music often sparks conversations and trends across various platforms.
The artist's trajectory since her debut has been marked by consistent chart success and critical attention. Her ability to connect with a global audience through her unique style and lyrics remains a key factor in her sustained career.
Industry analysts will watch to see if Am I the Drama? maintains its strong performance in the coming weeks. Its ongoing success could further cement Cardi B's legacy as a dominant force in hip-hop.
The album's strong debut reflects not just individual artistic achievement but also the broader trends in music consumption. Streaming continues to play a critical role in album unit calculations, highlighting its importance in today's music market.
