The two country albums that have had the biggest first weeks in 2024 on the Billboard 200 now both come from artists outside the genre.
The latest of those is Post Malone, whose F-1 Trillion project debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre chart for the chart dated Aug. 31.
According to Luminate data compiled by Billboard, Posty’s country album earned 250,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. for the week ending Aug. 22.
That marks the second-largest debut week for any country album in 2024, but it’s still just over half the units sold of the biggest seller, Beyoncé‘s Cowboy Carter, which earned 407,000 units the week it arrived earlier this year.
It’s not too surprising that outsider artists have had such massive success in country music. In 2024, those albums have been some of the biggest headlines of the genre, with huge musical names pouring into the country format to try their hands at three chords and the truth.
Lana Del Rey is also expected to release a country album this year, and stars like Machine Gun Kelly, Ed Sheeran and the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson have all trended country-curious in their recent releases, collabs or live performances.
Post’s F-1 Trillion arrived on Aug. 16, featuring a slew of duets with big names like Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Blake Shelton. Its lead single was “I Had Some Help,” Post’s hit collaboration with Morgan Wallen.
In addition to topping the Billboard 200, F-1 Trillion is also at No. 1 on the genre-specific Top Country Albums chart, as well as Top Streaming Albums and Top Album Sales.
The rest of the Billboard 200 Top 10 includes its usual country mainstays: Two Zach Bryan albums and one Morgan Wallen project continue to hold down spots.
Carena Liptak is an Associate Editor and staff writer at Taste of Country. She specializes in breaking country music news, interviews and lists. In particular, she’s got a soft spot for sad songs — check out her roundup of the 50 Saddest Country Songs of All Time!
Country Stars React to Post Malone’s New Country Music
It’s not enough to say country stars are supportive of Post Malone’s genre-blending new album. Everyone we asked to react to the new music praised the pop-crossover artist and then took time to explain why.
This isn’t polite adulation. Below you’ll find honest responses from eight stars who’ve worked with him or watched as he broached the topic of a country album. They’re young and old, progressive and traditional. Unless noted, all quotes came from interviews with Taste of Country.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes