This week’s album charts appear to anything less than interesting and “moving.” One act debuts and manages to break the lacking album sales streak, while others make huge jumps and falls all over the charts.
The top spot goes to a genre that most people probably didn’t see dominating. Country music group Lady Antebellum debuts at #1 position this week with “Need You Now.” Being the first act to sale over 200,000 since Susan Boyle took over the charts, the country collective pushes 484,739… can we admit that we’re all shocked?
These next two acts stick to the same hustle and flow as last week. Selling 139,093 records of hope, the various artist compilation “Hope For Haiti Now,” slips to #2 this week. Right behind “Hope For Haiti Now” is no other than Lady Gaga in the #3 spot with 66,641 sold for “Fame.”
This next act has been on the charts respectively, but has made a major jump on the charts this week. Michael Jackson moves up 14 spots and lands at #4 with 58,909 sold for the concert documentary soundtrack “This Is It.” The release of “This Is It” on DVD and Blu-Ray, which was released last week, can take most of the credit for the sudden jump in sales, not to mention the Grammy tribute performance of “Earth Song” this past Sunday. Thus far, the movie has ranked in more than $70 million at the box office. Perhaps, the DVD will do just as well and the King of Pop will climb the charts even more next week.
Though she isn’t an urban artist, it is quite interesting to mention Susan Boyle’s name within the review. Breaking out of the top 5 this week, Boyle now sits at #6 with 55,319 sold for “I Dreamed A Dream.” This is the first time Susan has not been apart of the top three and I believe her fire is slowly burning out.
While one fire burns out, another one is rekindled. Making a comeback into the music scene, British acoustic/Soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae debuts at #7 with 53,057 for “The Sea.” This project is the follow-up to her platinum debut self-titled album. “The Sea” operates as a revolving glass door into the recent times of Rae, who is currently in the grieving process of her husband’s death. The album features lead single “I’d Do It All Again” and follow up single “Closer.”
Dropping two spots, the Black Eyed Peas take the #10 position with 39,869 for “E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies).” After their dynamic performance at this past Sunday’s Grammy Awards, I’m surprised they didn’t jump up two spots. Right behind Black Eyed Peas is Alicia Keys in the #11 position for “The Element of Freedom,” which sold 38,827.
Last week, this mini album managed to be near the top 10, but now seems to have fallen. Lady Gaga’s “Fame Monster” comes in this week at #14 selling 31,034. Ke$ha falls out of the top ten and rolls into the #16 position with 30,185 sold for “Animal.” Mary J. Blige follows in the #17 slot for “Stronger with Each Tear” with 29,047 sold.
Rihanna stays in #21 position for “Rated R.” Though the position happens to be the same as last week, “Rated R” makes progress and pushes 24,573. That’s an increase of 4,778 from last week. Young Money comes in a few spots later at #26 with 19,656 for “We Are Young Money.”
In the #36 position, Melanie Fiona moves up nine spots with 14,550 sold for “The Bridge.” Falling seven spots, Jay-Z follows in at #37 with 14,538 for “The Blueprint III.” Beyonce is two slots below at #39 for “I Am…Sasha Fierce,” which pushes an additional 14,297.
Eminem took a drop of nine spots this week. With 14,207 sold, Slim Shady comes in at #40 for “Relapse: Refill.” Robin Thicke also continues to hold on the charts as he clocks in at #41 for “Sex Therapy,” selling 13,999. Trey Songz drops five positions into #43 and sells 12,644 for “Ready.” Finally, wrapping up the charts is Gucci Mane coming in at #48 with 10,852 for “The State vs. Radric Davis.”
Seems like Snoop Dogg joined Omarion, Shakira and Chris Brown off the charts this week. Wouldn’t it be nice to get these four urban acts back on the charts? Next week, we’ll examine the first week sales of the “milli” selling rapper Lil Wayne as he unleashes his debut rock infused album “Rebirth.” Will he have the same hip-hop backing with this “rock” album? Will his fans stay loyal and help him into history with another #1 sold album? You know where to find your answers. See you back next week!
Written By Shabazz
