5.
Drake
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Producers: Boi-1da, PARTYNEXTDOOR, 40, Amir Obe, Syk Sense, Wondagurl
OVO/Young Money/Cash Money
Easily one of the most controversial releases of the year, which most people are still unsure what to classify it as If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late was suddenly available on iTunes a day shy of Valentine’s Day this year. Without advanced notice and following the “surprise” album trend started by Beyoncé in 2013, the Canadian music icon sold 495,000 copies in three days and acquired 40,000 online streaming credits. Within its first week, it also exceeded Spotify’s first-week streaming record—a title he held with Nothing Was The Same—with 17.3 million streams. It debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200.