If Drake isn’t in your big 3, you need to be arrested.
When it comes to the ongoing debate between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, I have no strong allegiance—I enjoy both artists, and yes, that’s entirely possible. What’s clear, though, is that the chatter about Drake’s supposed decline is overblown. Even without his usual collaborators like Future and Rick Ross, Drake has continued to evolve and release successful music. And even tracks that don’t feel groundbreaking are still performing well commercially.
According to Billboard, Drake has topped the list of best-selling rappers by total album units sold for an impressive 10th consecutive year. This year, he leads the pack, ahead of artists like Future, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Eminem, NBA YoungBoy, Rod Wave, 21 Savage, and Tyler, The Creator. What’s even more surprising? Drake hasn’t even released a full album this year!
Best Selling Rappers By Total Album units This year (US):
— billboard hip-hop/r&b (@billboardhiphop) December 1, 2024
1. Drake
2. Future
3. Kanye West
4. Kendrick Lamar
5. Travis Scott
6. Eminem
7. YoungBoy Never Broke Again
8. Rod Wave
9. 21 Savage
10. Tyler, The Creator
Drake has held the number 1 spot for 10 consecutive years. pic.twitter.com/MAag1nI3F0
Whether you like it or not, Drake is the biggest hip-hop artist in the world, and it’s not even close. He’s known everywhere from Uganda to Romania. With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he’s able to top this chart using only his previous material. What is surprising, however, is the way he’s being treated by his peers and the major music executives. It appears UMG doesn’t value him as highly as he believes he should be valued, but seeing this list should make them reconsider. I mean, would the Chiefs let Patrick Mahomes walk?
Are you surprised by this list? Let us know in the comments section below.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
