Ed Sheeran Scores Biggest Debut of 2017
Ed Sheeran is back on top.
As projected, the British crooner’s latest album ÷ debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with the highest opening of any album in 2017 thus far, boasting 451,000 equivalent album units (322,000 traditional album sales).
For context, this is also the highest entry for any album since J. Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only debuted at No. 1 with 492,000 equivalent album sales (363,000 traditional) back in December.
This marks Sheeran’s second No. 1 on the Billboard 200 following 2014’s x, which sold 209,000 traditional album sales, prior to the chart’s equivalent album units format change.
Elsewhere on the chart, Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic stays strong at No. 3. Future’s self-titled effort falls 2-4, while HNDRXX drops 1-5. Migos’ Culture and The Weeknd’s Starboy remain at 6 and 7, respectively. Meanwhile, rising star Khalid makes a splash at No. 9 with American Teen.
Billboard 200 Top 10
1. Ed Sheeran – ÷ – 451,000
2. Metallica – Hardwired… To Self-Destruct – 81,000
3. Bruno Mars – 24K Magic – 65,000
4. Future – Future – 52,000
5. Future – HNDRXX – 49,000
6. Migos – Culture – 44,000
7. The Weeknd – Starboy – 42,000
8. Various – Moana Soundtrack – 39,000
9. Khalid – American Teen – 37,000
10. Various – Trolls Soundtrack – 36,000