SZA’s critically acclaimed SOS has achieved a remarkable milestone by maintaining its position at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart for an astounding 100 weeks. This record-setting album, which debuted in 2012, has now surpassed all competitors in chart history, boasting more than double the number of weeks at the top compared to any other title. Notably, SOS has only spent eight of its first 108 weeks outside the coveted top position, highlighting its dominance and popularity in the R&B genre.

As of the chart dated January 11, SOS crossed the impressive triple-digit mark, achieving 130,000 equivalent album units during the tracking week from December 27, 2024, to January 2, 2025, according to data from Luminate. While its initial 98 weeks at the top were solely from the standard album release, the recent two weeks saw an uplift due to the launch of the SOS Deluxe: Lana edition, which was released on December 20 and added an exciting 15 new tracks to the original 22-song lineup. All versions of the album are compiled into a single entry for tracking and chart position purposes, showcasing its cumulative success.

In light of SOS’s latest triumph on the Top R&B Albums chart, it’s essential to take a closer look at the other notable projects that have achieved significant weeks at No. 1 on this 12-year-old chart. This comparison not only highlights the exceptional performance of SZA’s album but also provides a broader context of competition in the R&B landscape.

Weeks at No. 1, Album Title, Artist, First Week at No. 1

Released in December 2022, SOS serves as the long-awaited sequel to SZA’s acclaimed 2017 debut album, Ctrl. The anticipation surrounding this release was palpable, leading to an explosion of excitement among fans and resulting in SOS debuting at No. 1 on both the all-genre Billboard 200 and Top R&B Albums charts. The album quickly asserted its authority in the R&B space, remaining at the top of the Top R&B Albums chart for its first 48 weeks. Acclaimed singles such as “Kill Bill” and “Snooze” dominated the Hot R&B Songs chart, with impressive durations of 30 and 32 weeks at No. 1, respectively. Thanks to its stellar reception and impressive consumption numbers, SOS secured the title of year-end No. 1 on the Top R&B Albums chart for both 2023 and 2024.

While the standard edition of SOS has already achieved phenomenal success, the recent release of the Lana deluxe edition is poised to further enhance the album’s legacy. With 130,000 units sold in the latest tracking week, SOS significantly outperformed this week’s runner-up, which happens to be SZA’s own Ctrl. The impact of the Lana chapter is expected to continue well into the spring and summer, particularly with SZA and Kendrick Lamar embarking on their Grand National tour, which will cover nearly two dozen stadiums across the United States and Canada.

Furthermore, there are hints that even more music might be on the horizon. On January 5, Terrence “Punch” Henderson Jr., the president of SZA’s record label, Top Dawg Entertainment, shared an update on social media platform X: “Waiting for some clearances to clear up for the additional joints on the SOS Deluxe: LANA. Soon as that’s done it’s up!” This teaser has left fans eagerly anticipating what may come next for SZA and her evolving musical journey.