SZA’s “SOS” has made a dramatic return to the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart, surging from No. 15 to No. 1 following the release of its deluxe reissue, “Lana”. This marks the album’s 11th week at the summit, solidifying its status as a modern R&B powerhouse. Originally debuting in December 2022, “SOS” last held the top spot in March 2023. Its 22-month gap between chart-topping weeks is now the longest in the 67-year history of the Billboard 200.
According to Luminate, the data company powering the Billboard charts, sales and streams of both the original album and its deluxe reissue are combined for chart tracking. For the week ending December 26, “SOS” earned 178,000 album units in the U.S., boosted by 220 million streams of the expanded collection.
SZA celebrated the milestone on social media, posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“The fact that yall have me at number one for a third day w no playlisting. no promo. no radio. onna deluxe. This is why I try my best because yall always got me no matter what. Thank you.”
The deluxe edition, “Lana,” expands the album by 15 additional tracks, including a single feature from Kendrick Lamar on “30 for 30.” The project maintains collaborations with longtime producers ThankGod4Cody and Carter Lang, along with contributions from Lil Yachty and Benny Blanco.
The reissue’s release was preceded by teasers, including a snippet of “Kitchen” and a cinematic video for “Drive” featuring Ben Stiller. SZA also performed the track “Saturn” at the 2024 Grammy Awards, where she earned three wins from nine nominations for “SOS.”
Outside of “SOS,” the Billboard 200 remains dominated by holiday albums as Christmas classics surge during the season. Michael Bublé’s “Christmas” holds the No. 2 spot, followed by Bing Crosby’s “Ultimate Christmas” at No. 3 and Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” at No. 4. Meanwhile, Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas” lands at No. 6, and Frank Sinatra’s “Ultimate Christmas” rounds out the Top 10—marking his first appearance in the Top 10 in over a decade.
Among non-holiday albums, Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” holds at No. 5, Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” ranks at No. 7, and the “Wicked” film soundtrack debuts at No. 8.
With “SOS” reclaiming its throne and proving its staying power nearly two years after its initial release, SZA continues to assert her dominance as one of music’s most influential voices, bridging heartfelt lyricism with cultural relevance.
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