Beyoncé has repeatedly reminded the world why she’s a titan in the music business. Not only did Queen Bey give listeners an innovative sonic project with the release of “Renaissance,” her likewise immensely awaited seventh studio album, but she decimated records in the process.
Debuting at No. 1, the album had a historic first-week performance, selling through 332,000 units, the highest first-week sales for a female artist in 2022. That debut makes “Renaissance” the second biggest of the year, behind only Harry Styles’ Harry’s House.
What makes Beyoncé’s sales accomplishment even more impressive is the share of traditional album sales. In an age when streaming infuses every aspect of chart position, “Renaissance” refused to consent, selling 190,000 physical and digital copies in its first week. This makes it the best-selling traditional album by a woman this year, a testament to the unbeatable support of the BeyHive and dedication to purchasing her work.
“Renaissance” also broke a new streaming record for Beyoncé outside sales. The album racked up 179 million streams in its first week, the biggest streaming debut of her career and the most significant streaming week for a female artist in 2022. These numbers reinforce Beyonce’s relevance in the changing music landscape and her talent for demanding the kind of attention digital platforms require.
