The year was 2013 and Shawn Mendes was a normal high school teen in Pickering, Ontario, who liked to hang out with his friends and spend hours watching YouTube cover videos.
Then one day, Shawn uploaded a six-second Vine of himself crooning Justin Bieber’s “As Long As You Love Me.” No bells and whistles; just Shawn, his green hoodie, and his acoustic guitar.
Now, not even two years later, the 16-year-old’s debut full-length album, Handwritten, has topped the Billboard 200 chart, making him the youngest artist in five years to hold the position. Wanna guess who held that title before him? None other than Justin Bieber, who accomplished the feat with his 2010 album My World 2.0.
Oh, how things have come full circle.
more: Artist To Watch: Shawn Mendes Will Make You Want To Sing Your Heart Out While Wearing A Flannel
Handwritten is a huge debut for Shawn. The album, which was released April 14, has sold 119,000 total units and knocked the “Furious 7” soundtrack down to the No. 2 spot.
Needless to say, Shawn’s fans were elated at the news and promptly tweeted out their heartfelt well wishes.
@ShawnMendes Im so proud of you babe! Can't believe your album is number 1! I love you so much
— ma (@muuuhree) April 22, 2015
"shawn mendes is a magcon boy he has no talent" me: *looks at shawns album at number 1 on the charts* me: *laughs* me: *sips tea*
— Oprah (@imsleepmendes) April 22, 2015
Congrats @ShawnMendes for your first album "handwritten" hitting number 1
— MendesGirl✌️ (@keniaro02489558) April 22, 2015
when @ShawnMendes is number 1 on the billboard charts and sold 100k albums pic.twitter.com/AA2WdYSMJU
— ally!! (@mendesvibez) April 22, 2015
more: Shawn Mendes’ New ‘Aftertaste’ Video Ends With The Most Heartbreaking Cliffhanger
This is just the first milestone in what we’re sure will be Shawn’s biggest year to date. The MTV Artist to Watch is currently touring and gearing up for his opening slot on Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour.
In other words, get ready to see a whole lot more of Shawn. And if you can’t make it to a concert in person, it’s OK — we have plenty of fan art for you to swoon over through your screen.
Congrats on your number one, Shawn!
