Travis Scott and Sabrina Carpenter locked in nail-biting race for No. 1 on Billboard 200

The fierce competition between Travis Scott and Sabrina Carpenter for a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 album chart is nearing its climax, and it's proving to be more intense and unpredictable than ever. Initial sales projections for Travis Scott's 'DAYS BEFORE RODEO' were originally estimated around 215,000 units in the first week. 

However, according to recent social media reports, those numbers have skyrocketed to 365,000, while Sabrina Carpenter's 'Short N' Sweet' is projected to sell around 354,000 units.

Despite the close race, the outcome remains uncertain, with both artists aggressively promoting deluxe versions, physical copies, and additional tracks to gain an edge. 

Yet, the impressive sales figures for Travis Scott have raised some eyebrows. 

Joe Budden, on his podcast, expressed skepticism, stating, "Numbers all across the board everywhere else are down... I don't believe those numbers for a second." 

Budden suggests that Travis Scott may be one of the first artists to sign directly with tech companies, which could influence these sales figures.

This sales battle also brings up the ongoing debate about bundling, bonus tracks, and stream inflation, issues that have plagued previous Travis Scott releases like 'ASTROWORLD'. Industry rules have fluctuated in response to such controversies, with Billboard and other metrics organizations adjusting their criteria multiple times. 

Despite the focus on sales numbers, many argue that an album's true success lies in its quality, not just its chart position.

As the race for the top spot continues, it's clear that both artists are eager for the recognition that comes with a No. 1 debut. 

However, with Travis Scott recently wrapping up legal issues following his Miami arrest, some see this sales battle as just another facet of his media presence. 

Ultimately, the final outcome will be revealed when the official numbers are announced.