On Sunday, Tate McRae ascended to the pinnacle of the Billboard 200 chart, securing her maiden No. 1 album in the United States with her third studio masterpiece, 'So Close to What.' The 21-year-old Canadian pop sensation released the album on February 21st, which boasts singles like "Revolving Door," "It's OK I'm OK," and "Sports Car." Last week, McRae captivated audiences on 'Saturday Night Live' with stirring performances of "Sports Car" and another album gem, "Dear God."
According to Billboard, 'So Close to What' amassed an impressive 177,000 equivalent album units, marking the largest debut week for a female artist's studio album since Sabrina Carpenter's 'Short N’ Sweet.' The album's release was celebrated in grand style at the Kia Forum last month, where McRae welcomed hordes of adoring fans to an unforgettable event.
The Inglewood arena's parking lot transformed into a vibrant hub of excitement, featuring photo opportunities, stylish outfit displays, mouthwatering food trucks, and generous freebie booths from sponsors such as American Express, Adidas, and Neutrogena. Fans, many adorned in McRae-inspired attire of hot pants and jerseys, eagerly snagged tickets priced at a mere $8 through Ticketmaster, with all proceeds benefiting FireAid to support relief efforts for Los Angeles wildfires. For those unable to attend in person, the event was live-streamed on TikTok.
McRae enthralled her fans with a mesmerizing setlist featuring tracks from 'So Close to What,' including the premiere of "Dear God," "bloodonmyhands," and "Revolving Door." The singer revealed that the album's core theme revolves around the exhilarating journey of falling in love anew, perhaps hinting at her relationship with rapper The Kid LAROI, who also contributes to the album.
As she gears up for her extensive 82-date "Miss Possessive" tour, kicking off in Mexico City on March 18th, McRae will embark on a global adventure spanning São Paulo, London, Amsterdam, Prague, and culminating in New York before wrapping up at the L.A.'s Kia Forum in November. For more details about McRae’s tour, head over to her official website.
