March 17, 2025: Lady Gaga has made a massive splash with her seventh studio album, Mayhem, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album, which features a collection of dance floor anthems, including previously released singles like ‘Disease,’ ‘Abracadabra,’ and ‘Die With A Smile’ (featuring Bruno Mars), earned Gaga the biggest opening week for an album by a woman this year, with 219,000 units earned, as reported by Variety.
The highest-charting single from the album, ‘Abracadabra,’ was first unveiled during a commercial break at the Grammys in February, generating significant buzz. This is not the first time Lady Gaga has hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — she previously achieved this with albums such as Chromatica (2020), the A Star Is Born soundtrack (2018), Joanne (2016), Cheek to Cheek (2014), Artpop (2013), and Born This Way (2011).
The release of Mayhem marks another milestone in her illustrious career, not just for her chart success but also as the biggest debut by a woman in more than six months. The album’s debut also earned the biggest week of 2025 for an album by a woman, showcasing Gaga’s continued dominance in the music industry.
The Billboard 200 chart also saw Ruby by Blackpink’s Jennie debut at No. 7, marking her first appearance on the chart as a solo artist. The album, which blends pop and R&B, features collaborations with Childish Gambino, Doechii, Dominic Fike, FKJ, Dua Lipa, and Kali Uchis. With nearly 40 million streams and 26,500 sales, Ruby earned 56,000 units in its debut week.
In addition to these two albums, the top of the Billboard 200 was rounded out by Kendrick Lamar’s GNX at No. 2, PartyNextDoor and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U at No. 3, and SZA’s SOS holding strong at No. 4. Other notable albums in the top 10 included releases from Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Morgan Wallen, and Chappell Roan, solidifying a diverse mix of talent dominating the charts.
Gaga’s Mayhem continues to prove her resilience and relevance in the ever-evolving music scene, while Jennie’s successful solo debut adds to the growing individual success of Blackpink members.