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Jhené Aiko's 'Westside Whimsy' Hits No. 1 on Billboard 200
Confirmed
In Short: Singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko has achieved her first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with her album 'Westside Whimsy,' released on September 11, 2026.
According to Billboard, 'Westside Whimsy' generated approximately 74,000 equivalent album units during its first week, making it the first R&B album by a woman to top the chart in 2026.
This milestone marks Aiko's sixth top 10 album overall on the Billboard 200, following her debut project 'Sail Out' in 2013.
Westside Whimsy' is Aiko's first full-length studio album since 2020's 'Chilombo,' which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Variety reported that the album's quiet release strategy allowed Aiko to take advantage of an unusually quiet release week.
Billboard's chart calculations remove any data deemed suspicious or unverifiable, ensuring the accuracy of the final chart rankings.
Westside Whimsy's success extends Aiko's chart run, which began with her 2013 debut project, nearly 13 years ago.
The album's No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 is a significant achievement for Aiko, marking her first time reaching the top spot on the chart.
Background
Westside Whimsy is the fourth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Jhené Aiko. It was released on September 11, 2026, by ArtClub International and Def Jam Recordings.
What's confirmed
- Related Céline Dion Hops Atop a Car to Sing With Crowd of Fans in Paris Carrot Top Hospitalized After Reported Suicide Attempt, Cancels Weekend Shows Gnarls Barkley Back on the Road for First Time in 18 Years: See the Dates Explore Jhené Aiko See latest videos, charts and news Westside Whimsy marks the singer-songwriter’s sixth top 10 overall on the Billboard 200, dating to her first chart entry and top 10, Sail Out, which debuted and peaked at No. 8 in November 2013.
What's still developing
- The only other R&B set to hit No. 1 in 2026 was Bruno Mars’ The Romantic (March 14 chart). (R&B albums are defined as those that are eligible for, or have charted on, Billboard ’s Top R&B Albums chart.) Westside Whimsy was released on Sept. 11, after it was announced on Sept. 8.
- The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S.
- Jhené Aiko is officially on the verge of achieving the biggest Billboard 200 milestone of her career.
- Once Billboard confirms the result, Westside Whimsy will become Aiko’s first No.
- “Westside Whimsy,” which touts features from Kendrick Lamar, Tyga and Larry June, arrived without much notice after Aiko announced the project less than a week before its release.