Biggest Hip-Hop Album Sales in 2026 So Far

Rappers like J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, and Don Toliver are delivering big numbers in the first part of the year.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Hip-hop appears to be making a resurgence in 2026, with several high-profile rappers delivering impressive album sales numbers in the first part of the year. A$AP Rocky, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, and Don Toliver have all scored big first-week sales, while J. Cole is projected to have the highest album sales among rappers in 2026 so far.

Why it matters

After a reported drop in hip-hop's market share in 2025, the strong sales performance of these new albums suggests the genre is bouncing back and regaining its popularity. This is significant for the music industry, as hip-hop has been a dominant force in recent years.

The details

A$AP Rocky's new album "Don't Be Dumb" debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, moving 123,000 equivalent album units in its first week. YoungBoy Never Broke Again also had a career-best debut, with his album "Slime Cry" earning 70,000 units. Don Toliver scored his first #1 album with "Octane", which moved 162,000 units. Meanwhile, J. Cole's upcoming project "The Fall-Off" is projected to sell between 260,000-300,000 units in its first week, which would be the highest hip-hop album sales of the year so far.

  • In January 2026, A$AP Rocky released his album "Don't Be Dumb".
  • Also in January 2026, YoungBoy Never Broke Again dropped his album "Slime Cry".
  • At the end of January 2026, Don Toliver released his album "Octane".
  • J. Cole's album "The Fall-Off" is expected to be released in 2026.

The players

A$AP Rocky

A rapper from Harlem, New York, who released his album "Don't Be Dumb" in January 2026, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

YoungBoy Never Broke Again

A rapper who released his album "Slime Cry" in January 2026, earning the biggest first-week sales of his career.

Don Toliver

A rapper-singer from Houston, Texas, who released his album "Octane" in January 2026, scoring his first #1 album.

J. Cole

A rapper from North Carolina who is projected to have the highest album sales among rappers in 2026 so far with his upcoming project "The Fall-Off".

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The takeaway

The strong album sales performances from these high-profile rappers in the first part of 2026 suggest that hip-hop is rebounding after a reported dip in market share the previous year. This is a positive sign for the genre's continued dominance in the music industry.