Atlanta rap heavyweights Lil Baby and 21 Savage have dominated the city’s scene for nearly a decade, delivering landmark trap albums like My Turn and i am > than i was. Both artists have consistently churned out hits that defined mainstream rap in the 2010s, and their rivalry for top streaming spots continues into 2026.
Ending 2025 on high notes with new releases, the two rappers found themselves neck-and-neck on Apple Music’s top rap album chart. Lil Baby released The Leak$ on December 3, while 21 Savage surprised fans with What Happened To The Streets (WHAM) just over a week later on December 12.
Though the two share a friendship, only one could claim the top spot. After several weeks with 21 Savage’s WHAM sitting at number one, an update from Hip Hop All Day on January 2 revealed that Lil Baby’s The Leak$ had reclaimed the honor, marking a strong start for the new year.
Fans argue that The Leak$ shows a more consistent body of work compared to Lil Baby’s earlier 2025 release, WHAM. While sales were lower—moving around 34,000 units and landing at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 200—its streaming performance outpaced 21 Savage’s album. By contrast, WHAM sold over 100,000 copies and debuted at number one, though its streaming traction has been slightly behind.
Lil Baby’s ability to release two projects in 12 months, with The Leak$ performing steadily on streaming platforms, underscores his consistency. Meanwhile, 21 Savage continues to sell well, moving over 25,000 copies of WHAM during the week of December 26, securing the number 32 spot on the Hot 200.
As fans continue to stream and debate which album resonates more, it’s clear that both artists remain forces in Atlanta and the broader hip-hop landscape, kicking off 2026 with strong momentum.
