Queens-born rapper Lil Tecca is back on top. The 22-year-old artist, known for his melodic flows and introspective lyricism, just scored a major win as his latest project Dopamine lands at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It’s his first time holding that spot since 2019’s We Love You Tecca, and it marks his sixth consecutive album to chart in the top 10—a streak few in his generation can claim.
Released June 13 via Galactic Records and Republic, Dopamine is quickly shaping up to be the defining album of Tecca’s career. During its first week, the project racked up 65.3 million on-demand audio and video streams in the U.S. alone, earning 48,000 equivalent album units, according to Luminate. The album didn’t just dominate the R&B/Hip-Hop list—it also debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and took the top spot on both the Top Rap Albums and Top Streaming Albums charts, driven by over 419 million global streams in just ten days.
Tecca, who first made waves with his viral single “Ransom” as a teen, says Dopamine represents a creative turning point. “I wanted this album to reflect everything I’m chasing—pleasure, freedom, perfection,” he shared recently. Influenced by visionary filmmakers like Wong Kar-wai and Larry Clark, he focused intensely on every detail, from the cinematic visuals to the album’s structure and even how it plays out on stage. The result is his most polished and purpose-driven work yet.
The album’s lead single “Dark Thoughts,” a throwback party track with funky, Neptunes-inspired production, has been a streaming juggernaut since its release in March. It’s held strong in the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 straight weeks, and has already pulled in over 254 million global streams. Currently, it’s also the most added track at Top 40 radio, signaling Tecca’s growing appeal beyond hip-hop audiences.
Since dropping his debut album in 2019, Lil Tecca has consistently climbed the ranks in modern rap, pushing his sound into new territory with each release. Last year’s Plan A was already seen as a bold leap, but Dopamine raises the bar. With its massive streaming numbers, critical attention, and immersive storytelling, it’s clear that Tecca is stepping into a new era—one defined by creative control, vision, and the drive to leave a lasting mark.
His next step? A global tour that kicks off this October in Santiago, Chile, fitting for an artist with worldwide momentum and no intention of slowing down.
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