Move over, pop icons—Tate McRae just exploded into the history books! The 20-year-old singer-songwriter is screaming, crying, and literally shaking after her debut album, Chaotic Angel, stormed straight to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week. Fans are calling it a “full-circle moment” for the former TikTok underdog, who once danced in her bedroom for clout. But Tate? She’s still asking, “What the heck is happening?!”
“My team called me at 3 a.m., screaming that we’d topped the charts. I thought it was a prank,” McRae admitted in a wobbly-voiced Instagram Live session, still wearing pajamas. “I haven’t slept. I’ve just been pacing my apartment like, ‘Is this even real?!’”
The album’s success isn’t just a fluke—it’s a monster debut. Chaotic Angel racked up 123 million streams in its first week, fueled by viral anthems like “Greedy” and “Run for the Hills.” Critics are hailing it as a “gen-Z masterpiece,” blending raw lyrics about heartbreak and fame with beats so addictive they’ve dominated TikTok trends for months.
But here’s the twist: Just three years ago, McRae was uploading dance covers online between homework assignments. Her breakout single, “You Broke Me First,” hit the Top 20 in 2020, but she’s since battled industry doubts about her staying power. “People kept saying I was a ‘one-hit wonder’ or too ‘internet’ for the big leagues,” she told Variety. “This feels like… revenge?”
Fans are LOSING IT. Social media erupted with memes of McRae’s stunned face, while celebs like Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish flooded her comments with fire emojis. Even Taylor Swift reportedly sent flowers with a note: “Welcome to the chaos, girl. Buckle up.”
So what’s next for the newest chart-topper? McRae’s already announced a 2024 world tour, teasing “wild production” and “a lot of ugly-crying onstage.” But for now? She’s still processing. “I keep refreshing Billboard’s website like it’s gonna disappear,” she laughed. “Pinch me, guys. Pinch. Me.”
Chaotic Angel is streaming everywhere—but fair warning: You might scream-laugh-cry too.