In rap hierarchy, there are very few other artists who are above Future. We’ve got Kendrick, Drake, and maybe J. Cole. From his mixtape grind days to his current superstar status, Future has always been a hit-making machine with incredible songwriting prowess and relentless grind.
6. Pluto
Released: April 13, 2012
Label: A1, Freebandz, Epic
First Week Album Sales: 41,000
Billboard 200 Position: 8
The Future of five years ago feels so far gone from the Future of today. At the time, he was just an alien spawned from OutKast’s Dungeon Family and the trap house with amazing melodies and irresistible hooks. The rap world still didn’t know what to make of him.
When it dropped in 2012, Pluto was a critical darling with moderate commercial success, debuting at number eight on the Billboard 200, selling 41,000 copies in its first week. Bolstered by singles like “Tony Montana,” “Same Damn Time” and “Turn On the Lights,” Pluto ensured that Future stayed in the conversation.
5. Honest
Released: April 22, 2014
Label: A1, Freebandz, Epic
First Week Album Sales: 53,000
Billboard 200 Position: 2
Honest was meant to be the shining masterpiece of Future’s career. After dropping Pluto, Future was the go-to person for hooks and he ended up quarterbacking a number of hit singles like Lil Wayne’s Love Me,” Ace Hood’s “Bugatti” and Rocko’s “U.O.E.N.O.”
The problem was that he couldn’t find his own hit. While Future was busy serenading Ciara, acts like Migos, Travi$ Scott and Rich Homie Quan ended up taking Future’s groundwork and running wild with it.
Singles like “Karate Chop” and “Honest” fell flat on their face. Even the brilliant “Move That Dope” couldn’t quite hit as much as Future would have wanted.
So it wasn’t a surprise when Honest only ended up moving over 50,000 units in its first week, which is a decent number but not for someone of Future’s hit-making abilities. It was back to the drawing board after this project.
4. HNDRXX
Released: February 24, 2017
Label: A1, Freebandz, Epic
First Week Album Sales: 121,000
Billboard 200 Position: 1
2016 was a bit of a slow year for Future, especially if you compare it to the monster 2015 he had. And then Future decided to drop two projects back to back over two weeks, like it was nothing.
While the first project, FUTURE, featured the super trapper Future we all know and love with Southside and Metro Boomin manning the boards, HNDRXX was Future’s retreading of the pop world, but this time on his own terms. A hit single with Rihanna “Selfish” and another collaboration with The Weeknd ensured Future’s reign on top of the charts.
3. Evol
Released: February 6, 2016
Label: A1, Freebandz, Epic
First Week Album Sales: 134,000
Billboard 200 Position: 1
Evol was proof that Future was indeed the man of the hour. After a legendary mixtape run, DS2 and dropping What a Time to Be Alive with Drake, Evol was a little anti-climatic. Despite that, Evol still managed to debut on top of the charts, bolstered no doubt by the Weeknd-collab “Low Life.”
2. FUTURE
Released: February 17, 2017
Label: A1, Freebandz, Epic
First Week Album Sales: 140,000
Billboard 200 Position: 1
Future’s self titled fifth studio album proved that he was in a lane by himself, looking at no one else for help or inspiration. He was music-making machine who spent all his time in the studio, crafting bangers upon bangers.
With no lead single hyping up its release, FUTURE debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and gave Future his fourth number-one album in a row.
1. DS2
Released: July 17, 2015
Label: A1, Freebandz, Epic
First Week Album Sales: 151,000
Billboard 200 Position: 1
There’s no surprise that Future’s best album is also his best selling one. After the failure of Honest to meet expectations, Future went back to the drawing board, linking up with his trusty collaborator Metro Boomin and fellow rap superstar to deliver his magnum opus, DS2.
As one of the most complete rap projects to come out in recent memory, DS2 was Future totally in his zone with his back against the wall. It was do or die with this one. Future did it.
