This week’s charts have no room for fillers or chasers—let’s get right to it! Closing a fantastic week to November releases, we enter December with the stats from the most important urban release week to date. I know everyone placed their bets between Kanye West and Nicki Minaj, but we also have new releases from Justin Bieber, Ne-Yo, Ke$ha, Jay-Z —yes I said Hov —and G-Unit solider, Lloyd Banks. Even though album sales remain to ignite questioning—blame it on leaked albums perhaps?— the urban underdogs rule again. Where are the juicy deets? To the charts we go.
Racking in 518,775 units, Mr. West literally sits in his high chair as he takes the #1 position for “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” It’s amazing what can be birthed from one’s mind, especially an unconventional being in the midst of self-imposed hiatus and exile. This indistinct musical styled, lavishly produced, dichotomous—yet animated project serves as the fifth album from Ye’. In fact “MBDTF” has been stirring up reviews as his best album yet. The structure of the features and production is left wide open as Ye’ creates sole results with fuses several artists and beat makers on one track. Features include Kid Cudi, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and much, much more. Production hails from Ye’ himself, The RZA, Mike Dean, No I.D. and more.
Now, who else would be more appropriate to follow Kanye other than our bipolar Barbie, Nicki Minaj, in at #2 for official debut “Pink Friday” with 371,049 sold. Young Money’s first lady is constantly the talk of the net, especially her quirky raps in songs such as “Roman’s Revenge,” featuring Eminem, which is noted to spark her recent one-sided beef with Lil Kim. The album has received mixed reviews, confusing some for a “hip-pop” record. However lead singles “Your Love” and “Right Thru Me” seem to be adding to the Trinidadian rapper’s success. Features include Rihanna, Drake, will.i.am, Kanye West and more.
This next artist was down at #9 last week, but it seems Taylor Swift stans weren’t going to let her stay down for long—especially with Kanye’s return. Currently at #3, Taylor follows with 255,991 for “Speak Now,” while Susan Boyle’s “The Gift takes #4 with 250,403. Rihanna dropped from #3 to #6 with 133,662 for “Loud.” Justin Bieber returns to the charts with a special live version of his debut album titled, “My Worlds Acoustic,” which entered at #7 with 119,485 sold.
Ne-Yo follows with his new album “Libra Scale” at #8 with 117,800. This serves as the R&B gentleman’s fourth album and also a new platform to display something far from a standard compilation. A number of singles were released for the album, including “Beautiful Monster,” “Champagne Life” and “One in a Million.” Some say the album is an ode to the late Michael Jackson, especially with the six extended music videos included with the record. The only feature on the album features ol’ “Make Me Better” collaborator, Fabolous.
Katy Perry jumps up from her previous #31 position to #14 for “Teenage Dream,” which sold 75,178. Ke$ha follows with her second effort, the EP “Cannibal.” The EP was initially suppose to be included with a deluxe edition of “Animal.” However, the project does include a Billboard remix to “Animal,” which was included on the previous work. No features are included on the EP. Bieber pops up again at #19 for “My World 2.0” which sold 62,061 more copies. Eminem continues to trickle down the charts for “Recovery,” clocking in at #23 this week with 49,858 sold.
Lloyd Banks makes his debut at #25 for “H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More),” which sold 45,188. This is Banks’ third album, following his 2006 release “Rotten Apple.” The lead singles include “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley,” featuring Juelz Santana, “Any Girl” and “Start It Up.” Similar to Kanye, a lot of features appear on the album such as Ye himself, Styles P, 50 Cent, Ryan Leslie and more. Production credits go to Cardiak, Ryan Leslie, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and more. FYE and iTunes bonus tracks album include tracks with Swizz Beatz production and Eminem feature and production as well.
Mariah Carey dropped from #19 to #26 for “Merry Christmas II You,” which sold 42,367. Lil Wayne’s “I Am Not a Human Being” takes #30 with 38,509 sold. Bruno Mars moved up from #47 into #34 for “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” and sold 31,477. Nelly took a hard dip from #10 to #37 for “5.0,” which sold 28,528. Kid Cudi dropped a few as well for “Man on the Moon 2,” which sold 27,978. Trey Songz moved up six spots into #40 with 26,391 for “Passion, Pain & Pleasure.”
All the attention must have been on his next artist’s recent book release… because it certainly wasn’t on this debut. Jay-Z enters the charts at #41 for “The Hits Collection Vol. 1,” only selling 26,044. The compilation doesn’t really feature any early ‘90s tracks, but includes commercial successful joints such as “Big Pimpin,” “Encore,” and “99 Problems.” Ke$ha’s “Animal” returns to the charts at #44 adding 23,510 to her sales. Taylor Swift closes the charts at #50 with her “Holiday Collection,” selling 21,612.
Next week shall be interesting to see if both Kanye West and Nicki Minaj will hold their thrones, or if contenders Taylor Swift and Susan Boyle will boot them out. But it may be out own that poses the threat. We also have new releases from The Black Eyed Peas, Soulja Boy, Miguel, Jazmine Sullivan, Flo Rida and Chrisette Michele. A lot of albums underway! Check back next week to see where they all land on the charts.
Written by Shabazz
