Beyoncé’s new album Renaissance debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 332,000 equivalent units. It’s the largest first-week sales by a woman this year.
The album’s hefty debut numbers also put Beyoncé behind British megastar Harry Styles as the second artist of 2022 with the most albums sold in its first week.
Outside of Adele‘s 2021 album 30, Beyoncé leads the pack as the first woman to have a new album launch atop the Billboard 200.
Each of Beyoncé’s seven studio albums topped the big albums chart — and she’s the only woman to achieve this feat. Her last proper solo album, Lemonade, opened at No. 1 with 653,000 units sold.
Additionally, Renaissance earns Beyoncé her tenth top 10 album on the Billboard 200. Before this latest release, 2019’s The Lion King: The Gift entered at No. 2 with sales of 54,000. Then, a few months earlier, Homecoming: The Live Album started at No. 4 on this list, selling 38,000 in its first week.
“Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world,” said Beyoncé. “It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”
The music icon also thanked her fans for supporting her latest album. “I’m thankful that it was received and understood. Thank you to my beautiful team for your heart and grind,” Beyoncé wrote in a letter. “Thank you to all of the brilliant collaborators and musicians, composers and everyone involved in creating this piece of art. And thank you to the absolute best fans on the planet. I’m grateful to be loved by you.”
Beyoncé dedicates a special message to the #BeyHive after #RENAISSANCE going #1. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ikoBdVYWER
— BEYONCÉ LEGION 𐚁 (@BeyLegion) August 8, 2022
Renaissance was powered by the current single, “Break My Soul,” co-produced and co-written by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. It recently reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her eighth chart-topper and first since the Grammy-winning “Savage (Remix)” with Megan Thee Stallion.
Not to mention, the 15 other Renaissance songs were entries on the Hot 100 this week. This feat brings Beyoncé’s Hot 100 appearances to 81, the third most among women. She passes Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin (73) and Ariana Grande (71) to trail behind Nicki Minaj (123) and Taylor Swift (168).
So far, Beyoncé has not shared an official music video for “Break My Soul.” According to the press release, visuals, including one for the lead single, are forthcoming. But she did drop several remixes, including a Queens Remix featuring Madonna. It reimagines the original production with her co-star’s 1992 hit single “Vogue.”
Other alternate remixes included those done over by producer/artist will.i.am, Chicago house DJ Terry Hunter, house producer/DJ Honey Dijon and DJ Nita Aviance.
See the stats for Renaissance below.
All of @Beyonce's No. 1 solo albums on the #Billboard200:
Dangerously In Love (2003)
B'Day (2006)
I Am…Sasha Fierce (2008)
4 (2011)
Beyonce (2013)
Lemonade (2016)
Renaissance (2022)— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) August 8, 2022
Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (1/2):
#1, @Beyonce Renaissance
#3, @ATEEZofficial The World EP.1 : Movement
#6, @ENHYPEN Manifesto : Day 1
#7, @SUICIDEBOYS Sing Me A Lullaby, My Sweet Temptation
#8, @DGDtheband Jackpost Juicer— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) August 8, 2022
Albums with the largest one-week EAU totals of 2022, so far (1/2):
521k, @Harry_Styles Harry's House (6/4)
332k, @Beyonce Renaissance (8/13)
314k, @BTS_twt Proof (6/25)
295k, @kendricklamar Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (5/28)
274k, @sanbenito Un Verano Sin Ti (5/21)— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) August 8, 2022
