Baby Keem Scores First No. 1
Baby Keem's album 'Ca$ino' debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with 72,000 equivalent album units in its first week. He celebrated with a surprise return to live performance on March 4 at New York's Webster Hall — a sold-out 1,500-capacity show announced just hours before doors opened. This marks his first full concert in three years since performing with cousin Kendrick Lamar in November 2023.
The jump to the top spot for 'Ca$ino' follows the success of Keem's debut studio album, "The Melodic Blue," which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 in 2021 and sold 53,000 equivalent album units in its first week. That album was critically praised and certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2023. 'Ca$ino's' first-week sales of 72,000 units marks a significant increase in commercial success for the Las Vegas-raised rapper, outselling the debut of his first studio album by nearly 20,000 units. The new album's 72,000 units were comprised of approximately 56,000 from streaming and 16,000 in pure album sales. The new album continues the creative partnership between Baby Keem and his cousin, Kendrick Lamar. The track "Good Flirts" features both Lamar and Momo Boyd and quickly became a standout, amassing 8.5 million streams in its first week. This collaboration builds on their previous work, including the 2021 hit "Family Ties," which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. Keem also featured on Lamar's 2022 album, "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers," on the song "Savior." Prior to "The Melodic Blue," Keem gained recognition with his 2019 sleeper hit "Orange Soda" and contributed to production on high-profile projects like Kendrick Lamar's "Black Panther: The Album" and Beyoncé's "The Lion King: The Gift." Fans who missed the surprise New York show may have a chance to see him soon, as a tour in support of 'Ca$ino' is reportedly planned for later this year.
