Zayn Malik breaks records as “Mind of Mine” debuts atop Billboard 200

PanARMENIAN.Net - Zayn Malik's "Mind of Mine" is officially No. 1 on Billboard 200. As AceShowbiz reports citing Nielsen Music, the album, which was released on March 25 via RCA Records, debuts atop the list with 157,000 equivalent album units that include 112,000 in pure album sales.

Zayn is now the first male U.K. solo artist to debut at the chart's No. 1 with a first album. However, this isn't his first time to have hit the chart's top slot as he previously did so with his and his former One Direction bandmates' "FOUR" (2014), "Midnight Memories" (2013), "Take Me Home" (2012) and "Up All Night" (2012).

The 23-year-old hottie additionally becomes one of only a few artists to have No. 1 records as a soloist and as part of a band. He joins former NSYNC singer Justin Timberlake, No Doubt's frontwoman Gwen Stefani and former Destiny's Child member Beyonce Knowles.

Back on this week's Billboard 200, K. Michelle's "More Issues Than Vogue" arrives at No. 2 with 59,000 units (54,000 in traditional album sales). This is the singer's third album to reach the top 10, following 2014's "Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?" (No. 2) and 2013's "Rebellious Soul" (No. 6).

Rihanna's "Anti" stays at No. 3 with another 50,000 units. Justin Bieber's "Purpose" rises one rung to No. 4 with 48,000, while Adele's "25" slips from No. 4 to No. 5 with 47,000. Twenty One Pilots follows at No. 6 as "Blurryface" jumps from last week's No. 7 with 41,000.

Young Thug's "Slime Season 3" debuts at No. 7 with 38,000 units, including 22,000 in pure album sales, in its first week. It gives the rapper his first top 10 effort and his highest-charting album yet, easily surpassing 2016's "I'm Up" and 2015's "Barter 6" that both peaked at No. 22.

Chris Stapleton's "Traveller" falls two rungs to No. 8 with 31,000 units. Behind the country singer is rock band Asking Alexandria who collects their third top 10 set with "The Black" that starts at No. 9 with 30,000. The Weeknd rounds out the top 10 as "Beauty Behind the Madness" ascends three spots with 30,000.