The 10 Shortest No.1 Albums in Billboard 200 History
In an era where streaming and short attention spans dominate, some artists have proven that you don’t need a lengthy album to make a massive impact. Sometimes, less really is more.
Although the average length of a chart-topping album is over 54 minutes, over the years, a handful of concise, tightly packed albums have climbed all the way to No. 1, proving that impact isn’t measured by minutes (or hours).
From explosive K-pop EPs to genre-bending rap rock collaborations, these short LPs made a big statement in a small amount of time. Here are the 10 shortest albums to ever top the Billboard 200, ranked by runtime.
1. NewJeans – “Get Up”
Genre: K-pop, Dance, R&B | Length: 12:10
Clocking in at just over 12 minutes, ‘Get Up’ by NewJeans is the shortest album ever to top the Billboard 200 chart. Released in 2023, this EP packs six tracks full of genre-blending music, combining old school R&B with futuristic pop vibes.
Despite its brevity, the project delivered viral hits like “Super Shy” and “ETA,” proving that K-pop’s global dominance doesn’t require lengthy tracklists.
2. Tomorrow X Together – “The Name Chapter: Temptation”
Genre: K-pop | Length: 14:26
Tomorrow X Together (TXT)’s ‘The Name Chapter: Temptation’ packs five tracks in just 14 minutes, blending pop, hip-hop, and electronic influences The EP’s whimsical and dark concept resonated with fans, and its lead single, “Sugar Rush Ride,” became a global hit, which catapulted it straight to No. 1 in 2023.
As we’ve seen and will continue to see on this list, K-pop has a trend of delivering flashy, high-energy projects without filler.
3. Ateez – “Golden Hour: Part.2”
Genre: K-pop, multi-genre | Length: 16:56
ATEEZ brought their signature intensity to “Golden Hour: Part.2,” a 17-minute thrill ride of EDM, rock, and hip-hop influenced K-pop. Tracks like “Work” and “Outlaw” highlight their explosive performance style.
Known for their epic concepts and powerful performances, ATEEZ didn’t need a full-length album to make waves.
4. Twice – “With You-th”
Genre: K-pop | Length: 17:31
TWICE’s ‘With YOU-th’ became their first album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and it did so with grace in just 17 and a half minutes. The EP beautifully blends bright melodies and heartfelt vocals, touching on themes of youth, love, and togetherness.
Each track feels like a polished gem, with no filler in sight. Twice proves that sincerity and charm don’t need a long runtime to shine.
5. XXXTentacion – “Skins”
Genre: Hip Hop, Emo Rap, Alt Rock, Lofi, Nu Metal | Length: 19:44
One of the most polarizing yet influential posthumous releases, “Skins” is a raw, 20-minute glimpse into XXXTentacion’s genre-blurring artistry. Tracks like “Guardian angel” and “BAD!” mix haunting melodies with aggressive rap, leaving a lasting impact despite its brevity.
The album shifts from aggressive outbursts to moments of melancholy, wrapped in a lo-fi, minimalist production style, and its success highlighted the rapper’s cult-like fanbase.
6. Elvis Presley- “Roustabout”
Genre: Soundtrack | Length: 20:05
Elvis Presley’s Roustabout, released in 1964, is a soundtrack album that accompanied the film of the same name. Though often overshadowed by his more iconic records, this compact album topped the Billboard 200 and remains a fun snapshot of Elvis’s mid-career charm.
The soundtrack blends rock ’n’ roll, blues, and pop, with standouts like “Little Egypt” showcasing The King’s charisma who needed only a 20-minute record to conquer the charts.
7. Jay-Z and Linkin Park – “Collision Course”
Genre: Rap Rock, Nu Metal, Alternative Hip Hop | Length: 21:15
‘Collision Course’ was a cultural explosion when it dropped in 2004. Mashing up Jay-Z’s iconic rap verses with Linkin Park’s nu-metal anthems, this 6-track EP fused two fanbases and introduced genre-crossing collaborations to the mainstream.
The explosive “Numb/Encore” became a crossover hit, proving that genre fusion could dominate charts. At just over 21 minutes, it’s short, loud, and unforgettable.
8. JackBoys and Travis Scott – “JackBoys”
Genre: Hip Hop, Trap, Compilation | Length: 21:22
Released in late 2019, ‘JACKBOYS’ is a compilation project spearheaded by Travis Scott and his Cactus Jack label crew. Despite its brief length, the project topped the charts and showcased the rising talent under Scott’s wing.
Already a tightly curated burst of high-energy trap and flex-heavy anthems that keeps the party vibe rolling, the addition of star features (Don Toliver, Sheck Wes) made the album an even bigger streaming hit.
9. The Weeknd – “My Dear Melancholy”
Genre: Alternative R&B, R&B, Electropop | Length: 21:50
The Weeknd’s ‘My Dear Melancholy’ is a moody, atmospheric return to his darker roots, delivered in just under 22 minutes. With tracks like “Call Out My Name” and “Wasted Times” it struck a chord with fans yearning for the raw emotion of his earlier work.
This short but powerful masterpiece from 2018, which explores themes like heartbreak with a synth-driven sound, makes it one of his most emotionally resonant projects.
10. Stray Kids – “Oddinary”
Genre: K-pop, Hip Hop, Trap, EDM, Rock | Length: 22:03
Of course, we close the list the same way we opened it – with a K-pop EP.
Stray Kids’ ‘ODDINARY’ blends chaos and creativity in just over 22 minutes with genre-bending tracks like “Maniac” and “Venom”. Known for their experimental sound and bold concepts, the group uses this EP to celebrate being different in a world that pushes conformity.
The EP’s relentless energy and experimental production solidified their reputation as one of the most ambitious boy bands in K-pop music.
Final Thoughts
These albums (or EPs) prove that chart-topping success doesn’t depend on how long you keep listeners’ attention, it’s about how well you use the time.
Whether it’s a 12-minute K-pop banger or a 21-minute genre fusion, these artists nailed their vision in compact form and managed to reached No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In a world of ever-shrinking attention spans, sometimes short and sweet is exactly what we need. And as streaming continues to shape consumption, don’t be surprised if even shorter albums top the charts in the future