Stray Kids Makes History on Billboard with New Album

Stray Kids has achieved a remarkable milestone in the U.S. music industry, making history on the Billboard charts. According to a report released on December 22, 2024, the group's latest album, SKZHOP HIPTAPE '合 (HOP)', which was released on December 13, sold approximately 187,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart for the week of December 28. This marks their sixth time reaching the top of this chart.

Stray Kids is the first artist to debut six consecutive albums at number one on the Billboard 200 since the chart's inception in March 1956, a feat that has not been accomplished in nearly 69 years. With this achievement, they join the ranks of the most successful groups of the 2000s on the Billboard 200, alongside BTS (방탄소년단), Linkin Park, and the Dave Matthews Band.

In just six years since their debut and two years after their first entry on the Billboard 200, Stray Kids has solidified their place in music history with the release of '合 (HOP)', marking their sixth consecutive number one entry. This accomplishment not only highlights their success in K-pop but also establishes them as the first global artist to achieve this milestone. Notably, the album is a self-produced project led by their internal production team, 3RACHA, showcasing the members' direct involvement in its creation.

As they continue to make waves in the global music scene, Stray Kids recently reaffirmed their influence by winning the Top Global K-Pop Artist award at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards held on December 12, marking their second consecutive win at one of America's major music award ceremonies.

Additionally, on December 13, Billboard announced their Year-End chart results, where '樂-STAR' ranked fourth in the Top Album Sales category among domestic artists, with 'ATE' following at ninth. They also secured the top two spots in the World Albums category, were named the top World Album Artist, and ranked second in the Top Album Sales Artist category.

Currently, Stray Kids is on their largest world tour to date, the 'Stray Kids World Tour <DOMINATE>', which spans 32 regions and 48 shows. They are set to kick off a massive stadium tour across Latin America, North America, and Europe starting in March 2025, performing at iconic venues like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Citi Field in New York City, showcasing their powerful presence on stage.