I know this sounds like a bizarre comparison but it's also an interesting one because commercially speaking they were polar opposites - on the one hand, Ctrl was released by a new and upcoming artist with a relatively fairly small fan base and so it consequently debuted with minor numbers. However, the reception from the public was so positive that the album kept gaining traction on streaming and is still charting to this day (316 weeks) on the BB 200. On the other hand, 30 was released by an established household name and debuted with numbers remarkable enough to secure it a #1 spot on its respective IFPI year-end list. However, the album failed on the longevity front and it fizzled out rather quickly. 

 

I feel like these two types of successes are always in conflict on ATRL so I thought this could turn into an interesting discussion. 

Ctrl will go down in history as a staple album of R&B music & will probably be the blueprint for future projects down the line. 30's only achievement is clogging vinyl plants

 

US: CTRL

WW: 30

Statistically, it’s CTRL (as an album) but that’s also because CTRL is a mainstream breakthrough and SZA becoming more mainstream after + SOS helped its longevity. Easy on Me is bigger than any song on CTRL though.

 

Wouldn’t CTRL & 19 be a better comparison?  Both albums that laid the foundation for a mainstream smash album (SOS & 21) and both benefited from the interest of such albums after.

Edited July 2, 20233 yr by FSXP

CTRL

CTRL

30

CTRL is the CrazySexyCool of the 21st century if we're being honest - legendary album that is the blueprint 

I totally forgot 30

US: CTRL

Globally: 30

30. Never heard of the other one, I only know ⌘.

Commercially, Easy On Me was bigger than CTRL itself, so 30 automatically wins. 
 

CTRL will eventually be more remembered and influential however, especially artistically and musically.