Beyoncé Makes History With Fifth No. 1 Album

Beyoncé's unexpected release of her fifth solo album, the self-titled Beyoncé, has made history after debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

This is a major achievement not only for Beyoncé but for the music industry at large. The success of this latest album makes Mrs. Carter the first woman in history to take the the top spot with her first five studio albums.

First came Dangerously In Love way back in 2003 and then B'Day in 2006. I Am...Sasha Fierce followed two years later and finally 4 in 2011. All of them premiered at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The news puts Beyoncé in the ranks of rapper DMX and folk group the Kingston Trio, who have also seen all first five solo projects debut in first place.

Since its release on iTunes the early morning of December 13, Beyoncé's blown the competition out of the water. It sold 617,000 copies by the end of December 15, a new record for Bey. It also makes for the largest sales week for a woman in 2013.