In the times of our lovely charts review, new additions all across the broad of different genres—country continue to dominate— cause units to be spread thin. The #1 act didn’t even reach over 70,000 units, and sadly enough, it’s not an urban artist. However, at least we can praise our urbanites. Acts such as Bruno Mars, Waka Flocka, Faith Evans and even the late Pimp C. With album sales continuing to fall, where did these contenders end up? To the charts we go.
As country acts Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney hold down the top two spots, Bruno Mars debuts into the #3 position album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” with 55,083 sold. After receiving praise from his feature on B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ on You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire,” the singer-songwriter and music producer finally ventured off into his own gig. His international hit “Just the Way You Are” has been a success, hitting platinum in the U.S. and gold in New Zealand. Features on the album are limited, but include Damian Marley, Cee Lo Green and collaborator, B.o.B.
Eminem moved out of his previous #5 position into this week’s #4 for “Recovery,” selling 52,782. A few spots down we have our next addition: Waka Flocka Flame. Debuting with his first effort “Flockaveli,” Waka Flocka takes the #7 position with 36,424 sold. This isn’t bad for the southern rapper, whose singles like “O Let’s Do It” and “Hard in da Paint” takes lead for some of today’s leading new “crunk” music. Waka Flocka’s third and current single, “No Hands,’ which features Roscoe Dash and Wale, has peaked #100 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is his highest charting single to date. To be honest, there are a lot of no namers on this album, but some of the features include French Montana, Unclude Murda, Gudda Gudda and more. Majority of the production is handled by “Hard in da Paint” producer, Lex Luger as Lil Jon and more.
This next act is a pin-up adolescent fantasy. Up eight positions, Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” sold 33,146 into the #8 position, making a major comeback on the charts. Trey Songz follows at #9 with “Passion, Pain & Pleasure,” selling 32,901. Justin Bieber also made a jump in the charts. Moving from #17 to #10, “My World 2.0” sold 27,413 this week.
Some may have had no warning, but this next artist returns full force. After a five year hiatus, Faith Evans releases her sixth studio album “Something About Faith,” debuting at #12 with 25,119 sold. This is the first independent effort from the former Bad Boy singer, who departed from the label in 2003, and Capitol Records in 2005. The album features a diverse array of unexpected artists including Snoop Dogg, Redman, Keyshia Cole, Estelle, Lil’ Mo and more. Faith revamps the sample to her late husband, Notorious B.I.G.’s “Everyday Struggle, “renaming it “Every Struggle” featuring Wu Tang’s Raekwon. Lead single for the album is “Gone Already,” which has peaked at #35 on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart.
Five positions later, Lil Wayne takes a hard dip from #2 to #17 this week for “I Am Not a Human Being,” selling 23,293. John Legend & The Roots drop three spots into #19 for “Wake Up!,” which sold 20,384. Gucci mane also took a hard fall from his previous #4 position, now landing at #20 with 20,142 sold for “The Appeal: Georgia’s Most Wanted.” Saving the best for last, our last addition on the charts is from UGK’s late Pimp c and his third album, “The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones,” which sold 16,313 into #25. This is the follow-up to the 2009 released album, “UGK 4 Life.” This is set to be Pimp C’s final album. There isn’t a lead single, but the album welcomes a variety of features and producers including Bun B, Drake, Chamillionaire, Jazze Pha, Too short, Rick Ross, David Banner and much more.
Remaining content in last week’s position of #30, Fantasia sells 13,172 for “Back To Me.” Drake moved up to #32 for “Thank Me Later,” which sold 12,128. Gaga’s “Fame Monster” EP was absent last week, but now returns at #34 with 11,290. Kem moved up four positions into #36 with 10,383 sold for “Intimacy.” Lil Boosie dropped from 314 to #27 for his latest release, “Incarcerated,” selling 10,294. Usher’s “Versus” takes #39 with 10,045 sold and a few spots down, Rick Ross sells 9,125 into #43 for “Teflon Don.” Usher returns for a second time with his original effort, “Raymond v. Raymond,” landing at #49 with 7,946 sold. Closing out the charts is Ice Cube, barely making the cut-off at #50 with “I Am the West,” selling 7,832.
To be honest, this week’s new releases have a slim chance of making it in the top 50, but since they’ve been having the internet waves going crazy, they’re worth a jazzy mention. New albums dropped this week from G.O.O.D. Music’s GLC. Remember the unknown dude on Kanye West’s “Drive Slow?” Well that’s him. Also, coming from Harlem camp Dipset, Cam’Ron’ sidekick Vado drops a mixtape (it’s selling in stores though) titled “Slime Flu.” Check to see if these albums magically make the top 50, as well the condition of your favorite urban artists.
Written By Shabazz
