Another week of sales… but they aren’t exactly looking up. The season’s most urban anticipated artists are dethroned from their previous positions and the sales continue to trickle down for fellow contenders. On the bright side, The Black Eyed Peas, Jazmine Sullivan, Chrisette Michele and more join the charts this week. How did the stats compliment the hype? To the charts we go!
Last week, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj were the head honchos, but this time around Susan Boyle and Taylor Swift regain the top two spots, sending the two artists down the charts. Before we get to Ye and Nicki, our first urban act comes from The Black Eyed Peas at #6 with new release, “Beginning,” which sold 117,066. This serves as the group’s sixth album and prequel to their 2009 release, “The E.N.D.” The lead single, “The Time (Dirty Bit)” samples Dirty Dancing favorite, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” originally performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. The album only features vocals from will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap, but the album includes production by David Guetta, Darkchild, and of course, executive producer, will.i.am.
Dropping from #1, Kanye West comes in at #7 with “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” which sold 106,003 this week. Nicki Minaj follows at #8 with “Pink Friday,” which sold 102,395. Rihanna, who was previously at #6, closes up the bundle at #10 with “Loud.” The album sold 68,992. Justin Bieber also took a dip as he dropped six spots with 65,057 sold into #13 for “My World’s Acoustic.” However, things are looking rather “jolly” for Mariah Carey as she sold 60,644 and moved up from #26 to #14 for “Merry Christmas II You.”
Our second debut comes from Jazmine Sullivan, who clocks in at #15 with 57,325 for new release, “Love Me Back.” Jazmine’s second release features her mega hip-hop influenced joint, “Holding You Down (Goin’ in Circles),” which is noted for its throwback hip-hop feel and classic used samples. Though the only feature on the album comes from Ne-Yo, many writers and producers were on board for this project including Missy Elliot and “Death of Autotune” producer, No I.D.
Katy Perry and her “Teenage Dream” sold 44,792 into #22 spot. Chrisette Michele broke out on the scene at #24 with 43,874 for her new release, “Let Freedom Reign.” This album is noted to bring out the inner emcee in Chrisette as she actually spits a few bars and raps. The album also features some sizzling hip-hop features from rappers Talib Kweli and Black Thought from The Roots. Rick Ross also returns his vocal favor — since Chrisette bestowed her grace on his current hit, “Aston Martin Music” — on a track named “So in Love.”
Eminem only dropped two spots this week, landing him right behind Chrisette at #25 for “Recovery.” The album sold 43,736. Bieber returns to the charts again with “My World 2.0,” which took the #27 spot with 41,406 sold. Bruno Mars sold 32,669 into #33 for “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” as Ne-Yo takes a hard fall from #8 to #39 for “Libra Scale,” which sold 29,209. But Ne-Yo isn’t the only one. In fact, Ke$ha took an ill dip as well, dropping from #15 to #42 with 25,785 sold for “Cannibal.” Surprising, but Lil Wayne closes up at #44 for “I Am Not a Human Being,” which sold 25,528.
There were more releases last week, including Soulja Boy’s “The DeAndre Way,” but sadly the record didn’t have enough “swag” to make it into the top 50. Instead, Soulja Boy only sold 13,000 copies. Check back next week to see if Redman can break into the top 50 with his new release, as well T.I. with his jail release. Also, will Kanye and Nicki continue to slip down the charts? Till next time!
Written By Shabazz
