The group Stray Kids has established a monumental achievement by reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart for seven consecutive weeks with their fourth studio album, 'KARMA.' Since the chart's inception in 1956, Stray Kids is the first artist to debut seven consecutive works at number one. The 'record' did not come suddenly. It is the result of self-written songs, performances, a significant expansion in tour scale, global connections with their fandom, and a relentless update of the team's self-narrative.
Stray Kids' trajectory has been remarkable since their debut album 'I am NOT.' The producing team 3RACHA, led by members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, participated in the production of all tracks, establishing their identity as a 'self-produced idol.' They have boldly continued to experiment with musical themes and genres, building their own narrative.
After reaching the top of the Billboard 200 for the first time with the 2022 mini-album 'ODDINARY,' they recorded number one on the chart for six consecutive works including 'MAXIDENT,' '★★★★★(5-STAR),' '樂-STAR,' 'ATE,' and the hip-hop project 'SKZHOP HIPTAPE 合(HOP).' With their latest album 'KARMA,' they achieved seven consecutive number ones, surpassing previous records shared with BTS, Linkin Park, and Dave Matthews Band, claiming the title of 'most consecutive number one artist on the Billboard 200.'
At the same time, their presence on the singles chart has become evident. They entered the Billboard Hot 100 with '樂' as the first K-pop fourth-generation boy group and have recorded a total of four songs that ranked on the Hot 100, including the current title track 'CEREMONY.' Winning at global awards such as the MTV VMA, Billboard Music Awards, and People's Choice Awards, their performances at major festivals prove that 'the studio's achievements' have been successfully connected to 'the persuasiveness of live performances.'
In addition to their record sales, their live performance expansion is also dazzling. Stray Kids successfully completed a world tour 'dominATE' over approximately one year, starting with a performance in Seoul in August 2024, covering 34 locations worldwide and a total of 55 concerts. The journey spans approximately 285,000 km, equivalent to circling the Earth seven times.
During this tour alone, they entered a remarkable 27 stadiums, many of which set records as the first performances by K-pop artists. Filling major venues like the Stade de France in Paris (around 80,000 seats) and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, they have solidified their position as a 'global top artist.' Compared to just two years ago when they first entered a stadium on tour, this growth has been explosive in a short period.
Stray Kids' significant record is not merely a result of popularity. It is the accumulated result of consistent narratives, the team's uniqueness, genre expansion, and musical challenges, completing a 'triple growth' as album sales, streaming, and tour tickets simultaneously rise.
Once 'wandering boys' upon their debut, they have now become a global icon that has changed Billboard history after seven years of journey. As they believe, 'destiny is not given,' the destiny they forged themselves is now becoming the new standard of the global music world.
[Photo] OSEN DB, JYP Entertainment
[OSEN]