Pop star Sabrina Carpenter is celebrating a major career milestone. The 25-year-old singer has achieved her first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with the release of her sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet. The album, which dropped on August 23, has made a significant impact, earning the equivalent of 362,000 album units in its debut week.
Short n’ Sweet not only topped the Billboard 200 but also surpassed Travis Scott’s first official release of his 2014 mixtape, Days Before Rodeo, which came in at No. 2, according to data from Luminate via Billboard. This marks Short n’ Sweet as the third-largest debut of 2024 so far, trailing behind Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter with 407,000 units and Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, which leads with 2.61 million units, per Variety.
The news of Carpenter’s chart-topping success comes just days after she made a subtle nod to a past chart battle involving rapper Nicki Minaj. On August 29, Carpenter tweeted, “this one’s for nicki,” a reference to Minaj’s 2018 contention with Travis Scott’s Astroworld for the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200.
In response to Carpenter’s tweet, Minaj showed support by acknowledging Carpenter and her fans. “Shout out Sabrina Carpenter, shout out all the Sabrina Carpenter fans,” Minaj wrote later that evening.
The 2018 chart clash between Minaj and Scott was notable for its controversy. Minaj, whose album Queen was competing against Scott’s Astroworld, had criticized the way Scott’s album numbers were boosted by his tour and merchandise sales. Minaj argued that these additional sales should not count towards chart positions, especially since she claimed Billboard did not allow her similar promotional strategies.
Minaj’s critique extended to Scott’s then-girlfriend Kylie Jenner and rapper Drake, with Minaj expressing frustration about the dynamics affecting female artists in the industry. “Travis sold over 50K of these. With no requirement of redeeming the album,” Minaj wrote on Twitter. “With no dates for a tour, etc. I spoke to him. He knows he doesn’t have the #1 album this week.” She added: “I put my blood sweat & tears in writing a dope album only for Travis Scott to have Kylie Jenner post a tour pass telling people to come see her & Stormi.” During her outburst, Minaj also discussed how women in the industry are often unfairly marginalized.
Meanwhile, Scott celebrated the 10th anniversary of his Days Before Rodeo mixtape on August 18 by re-releasing the project. This reissue coincided with Carpenter’s debut at No. 1, marking a significant moment for both artists in the music industry.
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Carpenter’s album Short n’ Sweet has been met with widespread acclaim and marks a new chapter in her career, showcasing her evolving sound and artistic growth. The success of her latest LP underscores her growing influence in the pop music landscape and her ability to resonate with a broad audience.
For fans and industry watchers alike, Carpenter’s achievement is a testament to her hard work and dedication. The album’s success on the Billboard 200 is a significant milestone for the artist, reflecting both her musical talent and the strength of her fan base. As Sabrina Carpenter continues to make waves in the music industry, her latest accomplishment on the charts is sure to be a highlight of her career.
