Billboard reports that Anderson .Paak and Cordae's first collaborative album, 'Heavy Is the Crown,' has debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rap Albums chart — and for each artist it is a first leader on that list.

Album sales contributed 19,000 units and streaming activity another 11,000, with negligible track-equivalent sales. Despite the rap chart coronation, the album opens at No. 2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 11 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

For all of Anderson .Paak's acclaim, Billboard notes he had never topped the Top Rap Albums chart before: his NxWorries duo with Knxwledge peaked at No. 3 with 'Yes Lawd!' in November 2016, and 'Oxnard' hit No. 5 in December 2018.

Cordae's best showings were similarly short of the top — 'The Lost Boy' reached No. 6 in August 2019 and 'From a Birds Eye View' peaked at No. 4 in January 2022.

The Daily Targum's review argues the long-awaited collaboration delivers on years of anticipation, noting fans have wanted a joint project since 'RNP' appeared on Cordae's 2019 debut 'The Lost Boy.'

The student paper praises the opener '58th Floor,' which interpolates The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Warning' with .Paak responding in a spoken-word phone conversation, and highlights the funk-driven 'A Good Day' as Silk Sonic-adjacent, plus the punk-flavored 'Days Like This.'

Its reviewer says the closing stretch risks repetition but calls the 11-track set a worthwhile listen for old and new fans alike.

That entrance marks Anderson .Paak's first-ever appearance on Hot Rap Songs, while it is Cordae's fourth, following his featured spots on Eminem's 'Killer' (No. 16 in 2021), NF's 'Careful' (No. 20 in 2023) and 'Doomsday.' with Lyrical Lemonade and Juice WRLD (No. 15 in 2023).