Keep coming across that.
Photo: David Krieger/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

If you live online, or in spaces where pop music is regularly played and/or discussed, or in Bushwick, then Charli XCX is the biggest star in the world. But this week’s Billboard album charts are a good reminder that the real world isn’t painted green. In the lead-up to this week’s chart success, the story seemed to coalesce into a battle between country boy Jelly Roll and club rat Charli. TikToks abounded, articles were written, Azealia Banks tweeted about them, etc. By the release of the Brat remix, it was the album’s best week yet, reaching 105,000 equivalent album units, and still just matching its peak of No. 3, per Billboard. That’s nothing to scoff at, and it’s certainly the best representation of Charli’s career. Mr. However, not only did Roll handily take the No. 1 spot with 167,000 equivalent album units, but Rod Wave also took second place with 127,000 EAUs. “What?” said most of the Sweat Tour participants. “Isn’t she everywhere, so Julia, etc.?” Good, Brat hasn’t produced a single top 10 hit yet – at least Charli can remain the underdog.