Tinashe could establish a new career benchmark more than a decade after releasing her debut album.

Popstar could give Tinashe the highest-charting album of her career.

According to an updated projection from Hits Daily Double, the album is expected to earn approximately 27k equivalent units during its opening week in the United States. That total could place Popstar inside the Billboard 200’s top 15.

The new estimate represents a substantial increase from the initial projection of approximately 20,000 units by our friends at Nora Music. More importantly, Popstar is now expected to surpass Aquarius as Tinashe’s highest-charting album.

Her current career peak dates back to 2014, when Aquarius debuted at No. 17 after moving approximately 18.8k copies. The album arrived during Tinashe’s original mainstream breakthrough and included “2 On,” her successful collaboration with ScHoolboy Q.

Much has changed since then. After struggling creatively within the major-label system, Tinashe left RCA and began releasing music independently. That decision gave her greater control over projects such as Songs for You, 333, BB/ANG3L, and Quantum Baby, helping her build a dedicated audience willing to follow her across R&B, pop, hip-hop, and electronic music.

“Nasty” returned Tinashe to the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024 and generated the kind of mainstream attention she had not received in years. Popstar now appears ready to convert that renewed visibility into a new career milestone.

An opening of 27,000 units will not dominate the Billboard 200, but earning her highest-charting album more than a decade after Aquarius would be impressive.

Tinashe spent years proving that leaving the major-label system did not end her career. Now, independence may be taking her higher on the Billboard 200 than ever before.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.