Six years after her last album, Jhené Aiko is back in the Billboard 200 conversation with a first-week projection that could put her at the summit. “Westside Whimsy” is estimated to earn between 65,000 and 70,000 equivalent album units, according to Hits Daily Double, a figure reported Monday by PopCrave.
The projection gives Aiko a shot at her first No. 1 album on the all-genre Billboard 200. Her previous best came with 2020’s “Chilombo,” which debuted at No. 2 after moving 152,000 equivalent album units in its opening week, including 38,000 in traditional album sales.
“Westside Whimsy” arrived Friday, September 11, through Def Jam Recordings, marking Aiko’s first full-length release since “Chilombo.” The new project contains 20 tracks and runs approximately 55 minutes, according to its Apple Music listing.
It is also the latest step in a steady chart climb for the Los Angeles singer. “Souled Out,” her 2014 debut studio album, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, while 2017’s “Trip” reached No. 5. “Chilombo” then moved her closest yet to the top spot.
The new album’s guest list gives the release several recognizable entry points. Kendrick Lamar appears on “So Good,” while Ab-Soul, Tyga, Larry June and OHMA also receive featured credits across the tracklist. The Kendrick collaboration is especially notable: Aiko and Lamar previously appeared together on “W.A.Y.S.” from “Chilombo.”
“Chilombo” was not only Aiko’s highest-charting album; it also earned three Grammy nominations, including Best Progressive R&B Album. Its performance established the commercial benchmark “Westside Whimsy” is now chasing after a lengthy gap between studio projects.
The timing adds another wrinkle. Aiko released the album on September 11, leaving the opening-week race to be decided by sales and streaming activity from the project’s first several days. The 65,000-to-70,000 estimate remains preliminary, so the final ranking will depend on how the week closes and how competing releases perform.
For now, Aiko is competing from familiar territory—but with a new target: the No. 1 position that has eluded her through three previous Billboard 200 top-five albums.
The official chart result is expected later this week.
