Stray Kids Score Ninth No. 1 on Billboard 200 With THIS & THAT

Stray Kids Shatter Records with Ninth Billboard 200 No. 1

The global music landscape just got a powerful shake, thanks to Stray Kids. The group has cemented their status as an unstoppable force in the charts, recently claiming their ninth spot at the pinnacle of the Billboard 200 albums chart with their latest release, THIS & THAT. This achievement isn’t just a milestone for the group; it’s a landmark moment for K-pop and the broader music industry.

This new entry debuted atop the list dated August 22nd. In a week measured by multi-metric consumption, the album generated 369,000 equivalent album units in the United States, according to Luminate data. This performance marked the group’s biggest week by units ever recorded.

The magic behind these numbers is complex. Of those total units, traditional album sales accounted for 357,000 units, setting a new benchmark for their sales performance. Furthermore, they generated significant engagement through streaming, with 11,000 SEA (Streaming Equivalent Albums) units, which equates to an impressive 12.21 million on-demand official streams from the set’s songs.

The album’s success was further amplified by its physical availability. THIS & THAT was offered across 17 different CD and vinyl variants, each packed with exclusive collectible items like photocards, posters, and stickers—some even signed editions—alongside eight digital download options. This multi-format strategy ensured that fans could connect with the music in countless ways.

Stray Kids’ ascent on the Billboard 200 is historic. All nine of the group’s chart entries have hit No. 1, starting with ODDINARY in 2022. In 2024, when HOP launched, they became the first act to debut all six of their releases at the top spot. Now, with THIS & THAT, they have extended that record to nine No. 1s among groups this century (since 2000).

This run places Stray Kids in an elite category, tying The Rolling Stones for the second-most No. 1 album entries on the Billboard 200 among musical acts. While The Beatles hold the overall record with 19 No. 1s, the group’s sustained dominance demonstrates unparalleled artistic and commercial power.

The data compilation relies on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional sales, track equivalent albums (TEA), and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). This approach captures the true breadth of a song’s popularity by accounting for both physical purchases and digital engagement. The results underscore how effectively the modern music ecosystem drives consumer behavior.

The success extends beyond the group itself, showing a trend where hybrid consumption—blending physical collecting with massive streaming numbers—is the key driver in today’s competitive market. As Stray Kids continues to lead these charts, they set an exciting new standard for how artists engage and captivate their global audience.