Everybody knew that the latest albums of Chrisette Michele and Ciara were on track to debut high on the Billboard chart. They both had a shot at a number 1 position. And newcomer Chrisette outs Ciara on the album charts, by becoming the new No.1 on the Billboard 200, just this week. A great surprise, because her debut album opened all the way down at number 29 two years ago. But things are going great for her. Michele’s new chart- topper sold just 83,000 copies (which still is the lowest sales total for a # 1 debut since they started keeping track 18 years ago). But at least she outdid the 81,000 units moved by # 3 finisher Ciara’s “Fantasy Ride”, the album that many people would have predicted to win this week.
Industry prognosticators suggest both Michele’s “Epiphany” (Def Jam) and Ciara’s “Fantasy Ride” (LaFace) will sell over 70,000 copies in their first week of release.
Correct!
If you want to know more about those artists who’re battling in the charts, check out their TRACE interviews!
