Controversy sells.

Tory Lanez’ surprise album DAYSTAR was released Friday and is expected to make a strong debut on next week’s charts. On the 17-track set, the Toronto rapper denies Megan Thee Stallion’s shooting accusations. Despite the backlash he received from those criticizing his choice to profit off the controversy, it didn’t stop fans and curious listeners from tuning in.

According to HITS Daily Double, DAYSTAR is expected to move 40-50,000 equivalent album units in its first week, an impressive number considering the surprise drop and the content of the project.

By comparison, Tory’s last album, Chixtape 5, opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in November 2019 with 83,000 units, while 2018’s Love Me Now? debuted at No. 4 with 54,000 units.

Tory is on track to outsell Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter V (Deluxe), which is projected to move 15-18,000 units in its first week, while Machine Gun Kelly’s Tickets to My Downfall is aiming for the week’s biggest debut with 80-90,000 total activity.

On DAYSTAR, Tory denies shooting Megan and accuses her of trying to smear his name, while also revealing that he still has feelings for her. After the album’s release, he faced scrutiny from many including Rick Ross, who said he made a “poor choice.”

Tory decided to release the album on Friday to honor his mother, Luella Peterson, who was born and died on Sept. 25, his rep told Page Six.