Stray Kids Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 for Sixth Consecutive Time

K-pop group Stray Kids has made history in the U.S., the world's largest music market, by setting a groundbreaking record on Billboard.

According to Billboard's preview article released on December 22 (local time), Stray Kids' album SKZHOP HIPTAPE '合 (HOP)', released on December 13, sold approximately 187,000 units in its first week. This achievement landed the group their sixth No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart as of December 28, marking the first time since the chart's inception in March 1956—69 years ago—that an artist has debuted six consecutive albums at No. 1.

With this milestone, Stray Kids now hold the record for the most Billboard 200 No. 1 albums by a group in the 2000s, joining the ranks of BTS, Linkin Park, and Dave Matthews Band.

Stray Kids first topped the Billboard 200 in 2022 with their mini-album ODDINARY, becoming the third K-pop act and the second solo group to achieve this. They followed this success with MAXIDENT (2022), their third full album ★★★★★ (5-STAR), 樂-STAR (2023), and ATE (2024), earning their fifth No. 1 album. Globally, only American rapper DMX had achieved a similar streak, making Stray Kids' six-album run a historic feat.

Reaching this milestone in just six years since debut and two years since their first Billboard 200 No. 1, Stray Kids have cemented their name in global music history with 合 (HOP). The album also shines as a self-produced work created by the group, led by their in-house producing team, 3RACHA, adding meaningful value to their accomplishment.

The SKZHOP HIPTAPE album introduces a "new genre" that is uniquely Stray Kids. 合 (HOP), their sixth Billboard 200 No. 1 album, combines the group's unity ("合," meaning "together") with a playful nod to the hip-hop genre ("HOP"). Its title track, "Walkin On Water," likens their confidence on stage to walking on water, effortlessly navigating turbulent waves.

Upon its release on December 13, the album quickly topped the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart and ranked No. 1 in 28 countries, including Japan and Brazil. The title track, "Walkin On Water," reached No. 1 on iTunes Top Songs in 25 regions, including Mexico and Chile. The music video also dominated YouTube's Worldwide Trending Chart for five consecutive days and ranked in the Top Trending Videos across 43 countries, including the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

Continuing to make waves in the global music market, Stray Kids recently showcased their influence at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards, winning the Top Global K-pop Artist award for the second consecutive year. Their album 樂-STAR ranked No. 4 on Billboard's Year-End Top Album Sales Chart, the highest placement for a Korean artist, while ATE secured the No. 9 spot. Additionally, they claimed No. 1 and 2 on the World Albums Chart, No. 1 on the World Albums Artist Chart, and No. 2 on the Top Album Sales Artist Chart.

Stray Kids are currently conducting their largest-ever world tour, Stray Kids World Tour 'dominATE', with 48 shows across 32 locations. Starting in March 2025, the group will embark on a large-scale stadium tour spanning Latin America, North America, and Europe, performing at iconic venues such as SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Citi Field in New York. This monumental tour highlights their unstoppable momentum and global dominance.