Tate McRae has made history this week as her newest album, So Close to What, debuted at number one on the U.S. albums chart, marking a major milestone in her career. This is not only her first number one album but also her third full-length release, solidifying her place as one of pop’s most exciting young voices. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that So Close to What has secured the biggest opening numbers for a female artist this year, showing the immense impact McRae is having on the music scene.
The album, which features 15 tracks, has stormed the Billboard 200 chart, earning an impressive 177,000 equivalent album units in its first week, according to data from Luminate. This includes 137 million streams, which is the largest streaming week of her career, as well as 71,000 album sales, another career high. So Close to What was introduced to the world through three singles: “2 Hands,” “Sports Car,” and “It’s OK, I’m OK,” with the latter reaching number 20 on the Hot 100 chart. This level of success hasn’t been seen since Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet album debuted with 362,000 units in September, and McRae’s album is now the second biggest debut by a woman this year.
McRae’s momentum didn’t stop there. The Canadian artist took to the stage on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on March 1, where she performed two of her standout tracks, “Dear God” and her viral hit “Sports Car.” Her performance, accompanied by a team of male dancers, was a testament to her growing confidence and artistry. Host and comedian Shane Gillis introduced her, further amplifying her presence to a massive audience. This high-profile performance not only showcased her talent but also helped fuel the buzz around her album.
In a week filled with exciting chart movements, So Close to What stands out as the only new release to break into the top 10 on the albums chart. Meanwhile, other albums jostled for position, with Drake and PartyNextDoor’s $ome $exy $ongs slipping to number two after its number one debut last week. The rap and R&B project earned 119,000 units in its second week, a respectable number but still far behind McRae’s impressive first-week performance. Interestingly, McRae even received a shoutout on the track “Small Town Fame” from Drake and PartyNextDoor’s album, with the lyrics name-checking her as a rising star.
The remainder of the top 10 is filled with familiar names, though positions shifted slightly. Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (often abbreviated as GNX) held steady at number three, continuing its long-standing dominance on the charts. SZA’s critically acclaimed album SOS remained at number four, while Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos dipped slightly to number six. The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow also fell to number seven, showing the competitive landscape of the music industry. Meanwhile, newcomers like Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time maintained their positions at eight and nine, respectively. Rounding out the top 10 was Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft, which stayed at number 10.
Tate McRae’s achievement is more than just a personal victory; it’s a testament to her dedication and the connection she’s building with her audience. With So Close to What, she’s proven herself to be a formidable force in the music industry, breaking barriers and setting new standards for young artists. Her ability to blend emotional vulnerability with infectious pop hooks has resonated deeply with fans, and her success is well-deserved. As the music world continues to evolve, McRae is undoubtedly one of the brightest stars on the rise, and her number one album is just the beginning of what promises to be an incredible career.
