The charts are ours this week! Each new release holds a spot on the Top 50 without ultimate damage to most previous urban artists. This week we have a freaky daddy- due to this “signed” papers, an eccentric naked bella and a three-man clan made up of a killah, chef and a man full of method. Who reigned this time around?
Daddy is officially home! After numerous push backs since December, Usher takes the #1 spot with 346,274 sold for comeback face off album, “Raymond v. Raymond.” This is the 6th album and follow-up to Usher’s 2008 release,”Here I Stand.” “Raymond v. Raymond” takes after the 1979 divorce film “Kramer vs. Kramer,” and takes a risky and edgy path compared to his previous work, which was more oriented and surrounded around a mature audience. Promotion single “Papers” gave fans the impression that the album will be a new day “Confessions.” But with singles “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home),” “Lil Freak,” which features Nicki Minaj, and “OMG” featuring will.i.am, the album appears to be a full powered dance album with a high pop influence. Other artists to join the credits on the album include Ludacris, Diddy and T.I.. Producers include The Runners, Polow da Don, Bangladesh, and Jermaine Dupri.
Following his mentor at #2 is current teen pop sensation Justin Bieber with “My World 2.0,” and 292,239 sold.
Analog girl Erykah Badu lands at #4 with follow-up album, “New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh).” Compared to “New Amerykah Part One (4th World War),” the new album return to her Baduizm sounds with live instrumentation, sampling and universal topics about love and everyday life. The album also features production from the soul singer herself, as well as some of hip-hop’s strongest low-key producers 9th Wonder, Madlib, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and the late J Dilla. The lead single for the album is smooth soul riddled “Window Seat.” The video features Badu at her purest, taking place the same spot of American President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and reacts indie duo Matt & Kim’s video for “Lessons Learned,” which shows the couple slowly stripping their clothes in the streets of New York City. In January, Badu released an internet teaser track titled “Jump Up in the Air” featuring Lil’ Wayne. The track however didn’t make the album.
Monica gives up last week’s position of #2 for this week’s #6 for “Still Standing,” which sold 80,897. Justin Bieber’s “My Wolrd” comes in at #8 with 67,283. Lady Gaga’s “Fame” takes next at #9 and 50,864 sold while Black Eyed Peas stay content at #10 and 43,868 for “E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies).” Ludacris drops from #6 to #11 with 39,996 for “Battle of the Sexes.”
Next in we have our three-man Clan – Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon – with “Wu Massacre” at #12 and 39,604 sold. “Wu Massacre” is stated to have supreme lyricism over a collection of well picked energetic, yet soulful beats. In January, Def Jam released the first single on their website titled “Our Dreams.” The following single “Criminology Part 2.5” takes from Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II.” Wu-Tang super producer RZA features work on the album, as well as fellow producers Mathematics and Scram Jones.
Sade still holds strong at #14 and 36,036 sold for “Solider of Love.” With 32,476 sold, Lady Gaga takes #16 for “The Fame Monster” EP. Ke$ha and her “Animal” sold 31,003 and lands at #18. Lil Wayne’s “Rebirth” sold 25,134 into last week’s position #20. Rihanna, who was previously at #17, sold 22,202 into this week’s #25. Gorillaz also fall out their #18 position and into this week’s spot of #28 with 19,363 sold for “Plastic Beach.”
Trey Songz declares people will still “know his name.” Still holding on the charts, “Ready” comes in at #30 and 17,827 sold. Alicia Keys joins RiRi and Gorillaz as she comes down from #26 to #34 for “The Element Of Freedom,” which sold 14,432. In at the #39, Young Money’s “We Are Young Money” sold 14,077.
Jaheim drops eight spots into #43 with 12,495 for “Another Round” while Mary J. Blige does the same into #25 and 12,312 sold for “Stronger with Each Tear.” Closing out the charts once again for the third week is Jason Derülo and his self titled album with 11,257 sold into #50.
Next week, urban acts will take a break with releases. Lets see if Usher will spend and second week at #1 and see if Bieber will spend a second week in top 5.
Written By Shabazz
