Taylor Swift Achieves 14 Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Overtaking Kanye West’s “Vultures 2”

Taylor Swift has once again made history on the Billboard 200 chart, as her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” remains at the top spot for the 14th consecutive week, surpassing Kanye West‘s album streak. This achievement marks yet another milestone in Swift’s illustrious career, as she continues to dominate the charts and secure her place as one of the most influential artists of her generation.

Taylor Swift’s 14-Week Streak Matches Adele’s “21”

According to Billboard and Luminate, Swift’s album has earned an impressive 142,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. during the week ending on August 8, 2024. This feat places “The Tortured Poets Department” alongside Adele‘s “21” as the last album to have spent at least 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. This incredible success highlights Swift’s ability to resonate with a broad audience, creating music that not only charts well but also endures over time.

📈| "The Tortured Poets Department" (142k units), eclipses "Vultures 2" (107k units) to spend a massive 14th week at #1 on the Billboard 200! 🇺🇸

– The longest running female #1 album since Adele's "21" pic.twitter.com/ccTMSzMcGA

— Taylor Swift Updates 🩶 (@swifferupdates) August 11, 2024

Swift’s achievement is particularly notable given the competitive nature of the music industry, especially against an artist like Kanye West, who has been a significant figure in the industry for over two decades. Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign‘s album “Vultures 2” secured the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200 with 107,000 equivalent album units, marking the 13th time West has landed at No. 2. Despite this strong performance, West’s streak of 11 consecutive No. 1 albums has come to an end, further cementing Swift’s current dominance in the industry.

A Decade-Long Rivalry: Taylor Swift vs. Kanye West

The rivalry between Taylor Swift and Kanye West is well-documented, beginning in 2009 when West interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards. The incident sparked a highly publicized feud between the two artists, with their relationship remaining strained over the years. In 2016, the tension escalated when West released his song “Famous,” in which he claimed credit for Swift’s success and referred to her in derogatory terms. Swift publicly refuted West’s claims, leading to a significant backlash and further intensifying their rivalry.

The feud was further inflamed by the release of a phone call between West and Swift, in which West sought Swift’s approval for the lyrics in “Famous.” The call, which was secretly recorded and later released by Kim Kardashian, portrayed Swift in a negative light, leading to widespread criticism. Swift has since maintained that the call was edited to misrepresent her, and the incident has continued to fuel animosity between the two artists.

Swift’s Record-Breaking Success and Continued Influence

As of this week, Taylor Swift has spent a total of 83 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 throughout her career, tying with Elvis Presley for the most weeks at No. 1 among solo artists. This achievement underscores Swift’s lasting impact on the music industry and her ability to consistently produce chart-topping albums.

The success of “The Tortured Poets Department” also reflects Swift’s ability to adapt and evolve as an artist. The album, which features a mix of introspective ballads and upbeat tracks, has resonated with fans and critics alike, earning praise for its lyrical depth and musical innovation.

Meanwhile, Kanye West continues to make headlines for his controversial behavior and public statements. Most recently, West made a reference to Swift in his song “Lifestyle (Demo),” which includes the lyric, “I twist my Taylor spliffs tight at the end like Travis Kelce.” The lyric sparked a response from Kelce’s father, who criticized West on social media, calling his behavior a display of “mental illness.” This incident is just the latest in a series of public spats between West and Swift, highlighting the ongoing tension between the two artists.

As Taylor Swift continues to break records and dominate the charts, it remains to be seen how Kanye West will respond to his recent defeat. While Swift’s success on the Billboard 200 is undeniable, the rivalry between the two artists shows no signs of cooling down. With both artists continuing to release new music and make headlines, fans and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see what comes next in this ongoing saga.

For more updates on Taylor Swift and Kanye West, tune in to Vviptimes.

SOURCE: TMZ, Billboard, Luminate, The Daily Mail.