2Pac and DMX Made Hip-Hop History With Two No. 1 Albums in a Single Year

Few rappers have dominated an entire calendar year quite like 2Pac in 1996 and DMX in 1998.

Both artists released two separate studio albums that reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 within the same year—a remarkable achievement made even more significant by the amount of music, pressure and cultural impact surrounding each run.

A social-media post recently described 2Pac and DMX as the only rappers to accomplish the feat. Although they were the first two, that distinction is no longer exclusive to them. Future later earned two separate No. 1 albums in 2017 with Future and HNDRXX.

🐐Pac the blueprint

— Marquis (@Bama_Boi57) July 29, 2026

The corrected history does not diminish what 2Pac and DMX accomplished. Their respective runs remain two of the most influential examples of a rapper reaching peak commercial power without sacrificing the intensity that established their audience.

2Pac’s historic 1996 run

2Pac entered 1996 with his career, public image and personal life under intense scrutiny.

On February 13, he released All Eyez on Me, an ambitious double album recorded after his release from prison and signing with Death Row Records. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remained there for two weeks.

Featuring songs such as “California Love,” “How Do U Want It,” “Ambitionz Az a Ridah,” “I Ain’t Mad at Cha” and “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,” the album captured Tupac at his most prolific and commercially powerful.

Seven months after the album’s release, Tupac was fatally wounded in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. He died on September 13, 1996, at the age of 25.

His final completed studio album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, arrived posthumously on November 5 under the name Makaveli. The album also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making it Tupac’s second chart-topping studio project released during 1996.

Billboard recognizes both All Eyez on Me and The Don Killuminati among Tupac’s five No. 1 albums. Billboard’s 2Pac chart history

The two projects revealed contrasting sides of the artist. All Eyez on Me was expansive, celebratory and filled with major collaborations. The 7 Day Theory was darker, more confrontational and shaped by the urgency surrounding Tupac’s final months.

Together, they documented one of the most productive—and ultimately tragic—years in hip-hop history.

DMX repeated the feat in 1998

Two years later, DMX became the second rapper to release two No. 1 studio albums in one calendar year.

His debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, arrived in May 1998 and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1. Led by records including “Get at Me Dog,” “Stop Being Greedy,” “How’s It Goin’ Down” and “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” the album introduced a rawer sound during an era frequently associated with polished production and the “shiny suit” aesthetic.

Only seven months later, DMX returned with Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood. The album debuted at No. 1 in December 1998, reportedly selling approximately 670,000 copies during its opening week.

That second release included “Slippin’,” one of the most personal and enduring songs of DMX’s career.

The achievement established DMX as one of hip-hop’s biggest commercial forces. He would extend his run by becoming the first artist whose first five studio albums all debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Billboard documented DMX’s historic chart run.

An important correction to the viral claim

While 2Pac and DMX were the first two rappers to achieve two No. 1 studio albums in a calendar year, they do not remain the only ones.

Future joined the list in 2017—and did it in an unprecedented fashion. His self-titled album Future debuted at No. 1 before being replaced at the top the following week by HNDRXX. Billboard reported that Future became the first artist in the chart’s history to debut at No. 1 in consecutive weeks with two different albums. Billboard’s report on Future’s achievement

The more accurate rap fact is:

2Pac and DMX were the first two rappers to release two separate studio albums that reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 during the same calendar year.

2Pac accomplished it in 1996. DMX followed in 1998. Future later added his name to the history books in 2017.

For Future, his 2024 albums are officially considered collaborative albums because they were co-billed as duo projects with producer Metro Boomin. So in 2024, he technically only had 1 solo studio album (Mixtape Pluto).

Future has a more distinct record from 2017 that’s often…

— Hip Hop Replay (@HipHopReplayHQ) July 29, 2026

Note: Tyler, the Creator released ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ in October of 2024 & he released ‘DON’T TAP THE GLASS’ in July of 2025.

Lil Uzi Vert released a deluxe edition of ‘Eternal Atake’ in 2020 not two completely separate albums.

— Hip Hop Replay (@HipHopReplayHQ) July 29, 2026

For 2Pac, the achievement became part of a final creative explosion cut short by his death. For DMX, it marked the beginning of an unprecedented five-album streak.

Different coasts. Different styles. Two unforgettable years in hip-hop history.