Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/6/2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/6/2010
June 09, 2010 11:07:00 PM CDT

by Allen Jacobs

There were no new Rap releases entering the Top 200 this past week. If anything, last week's numbers were nearly repeated, though some of the rankings shifted. The top of the charts were held by singer/songwriter Jack Johnson and his To The Sea album. Hip Hop fans may know Johnson from his work with Prince Paul and Dan The Automator's second Handsome Boy Modeling School album, White People. Usher's Raymond v. Raymond held the #5 spot for a second straight week. The veteran Pop entertainer's "divorce album" is marching its way to a platinum plaque for Mr. Raymond and his longtime backer, LaFace Records.





B.o.B. Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray returned to its #13 spot from two weeks ago. The Rebel Rock sensation cleared 200,000 units, making him the most successful Atlantic Records Rap release in over six months. Damian Marley & Nas' Distant Relatives fell nine spots to #18. The Universal Republic/Def Jam Records collaborative release has garnered huge critical acclaim in the Rap community for its rich commentary on the parallel relationship between Hip Hop and Reggae. Lil Wayne, K'Naan, Dennis Brown and Joss Stone appear on the work produced by Damian and brother Stephen.







Just ahead of Nas and Jr. Gong, The Black Eyed Peas and their nearly year-old E.N.D. were at #17, and remain a potential consistent climber in this sales drought. Another 2009 release, Alicia Keys' Element of Freedom was included with the top five Rap/R&B sellers at #29. It was announced last week that the songstress and Swizz Beatz will be having their first child.



* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandth.



Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)



Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total

5

Usher

Raymond v. Raymond

35,000

791,000



13

B.o.B. Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray 20,000

210,000



17

Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D. 17,000

2,569,000



18

Damian Marley & Nas

Distant Relatives

17,000

100,000



25

Alicia Keys

Element of Freedom

13,000

1,305,00



Ludacris climbed four spots to #32 with Battle of the Sexes. The DTP/Def Jam album remains the imprint's most successful 2010 album to date, and carries itself towards a gold plaque, possibly due by mid-summer. With Thank Me Later coming to the charts in two weeks, it's to be noted that Drake's mixtape-turned-retail album So Far Gone is on the cusp of going gold. With artists like T.I. and Lupe Fiasco having catalog album sales climb during new releases, Drake may garner two gold plaques this summer.





Trina's Pop-inspired album, Amazin' sold less than 5,000 units last week, still remaining in the top half of the charts. The Diamond Princess' independent release boasts backing by EMI Records, similar to releases by Raekwon and Twista last year. Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek as Reflection Eternal's Revolutions Per Minute fell to #104 in its third week on shelves. Despite some high critical praise, the decade-anticipated reunion album still sits short of 35,000 units sold.







Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total

28

Ludacris

Battle of the Sexes

12,000

441,000



82

Drake

So Far Gone

5,000

474,000



97

Trina Amazin'

4,700

59,000



104

Reflection Eternal

Revolutions Per Minute

4,700

33,000



162

Gucci Mane

The State vs. Radric Davis

2,900

369,000

 
From HipHopDX.com
 
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11433/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-6-6-2010

Drake Comments On Album Leak

Drake Comments On Album Leak


Thursday, June 03, 2010 2:17 AM

By Houston Williams

leDrake’s anticipated album, Thank Me Later, leaked to the internet and streets earlier this week, two weeks before it hits retail.

The leak has not publicly disturbed Drake, who took to his Twitter to comment on Wednesday.
Unlike many artists, Drake told his fans to enjoy the album, but also reminded them of the release date.
“I gave away free music for years, so we’re good over here … just allow it to be the soundtrack to your summer and ENJOY! JUNE 15th!” Drake said on his twitter.
Thank Me Later includes appearances by Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Bun B and others.
 
From AllHipHop.com
 
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/06/03/22244934.aspx

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 5/30/2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 5/30/2010
June 02, 2010 09:45:00 AM CDT

by Allen Jacobs

After last week's surprising debuts for two of Rap's most anticipated collaborative projects, the dust settled a bit. Usher's Raymond v. Raymond advanced to #5 from a #7 position last week. The veteran Pop entertainer's "divorce album" is marching its way to a platinum plaque for Mr. Raymond and his longtime backer, LaFace Records.
Damian Marley & Nas' Distant Relatives maintained a Top 10 spot, but fell five spots to #9. The Universal Republic/Def Jam Records collaborative release has garnered huge critical acclaim in the Rap community for its rich commentary on the parallel relationship between Hip Hop and Reggae. Lil Wayne, K'Naan, Dennis Brown and Joss Stone appear on the work produced by Damian and brother Stephen.
B.o.B. Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray fell just two notches to #15. The Rebel Rock sensation has the strongest commercial debut in Rap thus far in 2010, and will likely clear 200,000 units next week, as last year's Kid Cudi and Drake sit in the 300,000 and 400,000 units sold categories at present.
Will all the downward movement, The Black Eyed Peas and their nearly year-old E.N.D. release cleared the 2.5 million mark. The Interscope Records release remains a benchmark for its digital sales, and the label's success in this economic climate. Another 2009 release, Alicia Keys' Element of Freedom was included with the top five Rap/R&B sellers at #29. It was announced last week that the songstress and Swizz Beatz will be having their first child.

* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total

5

Usher

Raymond v. Raymond

35,000

757,000



9

Damian Marley & Nas Distant Relatives 25,000

83,000



15

B.o.B. Presents

The Adventures of Bobby Ray

20,000

190,000



21

Black Eyed Peas

The E.N.D.

17,000

2,552,000



29

Alicia Keys

Element of Freedom

12,000

1,292,00



Ludacris adjusted to #32 with Battle of the Sexes. The DTP/Def Jam album remains the imprint's most successful 2010 album to date, and carries itself towards a gold plaque, possibly due by mid-summer.



Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek as Reflection Eternal's Revolutions Per Minute fell to #62 in its second week on shelves. With co-executive production by Sha Money XL, R.P.M. features appearances from Bun B, J. Cole, Mos Def and Jay Electronica, among an assortment of Pop/R&B appearances.



Trina's Pop-inspired album, Amazin' cleared 50,000 units sold, as expected. The Diamond Princess' independent release boasts backing by EMI Records, similar to releases by Raekwon and Twista last year. Speaking of southern veterans, 8Ball & MJG bumped to #123 with Ten Toes Down. Distributed through E1 Entertainment, the Grand Hustle project is executive produced by T.I., and features an extensive guest-list of contemporaries and newer artists influenced by the Memphis mainstays.
The lone new release to the charts is Cam'ron & The U.N.'s Heat In Here Volume 1. The Warner Brothers/Asylum-backed project is very similar to Gucci Mane's The Burrrprint [2] HD release, which also charted. Cam's latest crew includes Vado and Byrd Lady, among others.

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total

32

Ludacris

Battle of the Sexes

12,000

429,000



62

Reflection Eternal

Revolutions Per Minute

6,800

28,000



85

Trina Amazin'

5,400

54,000



123

8Ball & MJG Ten Toes Down 4,200

33,000



133

Cam'ron & The U.N. Present...

Heat In Here Volume 1

3,700

3,800

From HipHopDX.com
 
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11376/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-5-30-2010

Tracklisting For Drake's "Thank Me Later" Revealed

Tracklisting For Drake's "Thank Me Later" Revealed
May 21, 2010 12:37:00 AM CDT

by Slava Kuperstein

Fans awaiting details on Drake's upcoming studio debut, Thank Me Later, will be pleased to know that the album's tracklist has reportedly leaked.

The album features a formidable cast of features, as well as producers. Among the artists featured on the album are Alicia Keys, fellow Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj, and Jay-Z, according to AllThings-Fresh.net.

On the production front, frequent collaborator Boi-1da, Swizz Beatz and Kanye West are among those providing tracks. Half of the album's production is courtesy of Noah "40" Shebib, who executive produced Drake's Grammy Award-nominated mixtape, So Far Gone, and was behind the boards for Drake and Trey Songz' successful.
Below is the tracklist for Thank Me Later:

1. Fireworks (Feat. Alicia Keys) (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib)

2. Karaoke (Produced by Francis & The Lights)

3. The Resistance (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib)

4. Over (Produced by Boi-1da)

5. Show Me A Good Time (Produced by Kanye West)

6. Up All Night (Feat. Nicki Minaj) (Produced by Boi-1da)

7. Fancy (Feat. TI and Swizz Beatz) (Produced by Swizz Beatz)

8. Shut It Down (Feat. The Dream) (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib and Omen)

9. Unforgettable (Feat. Young Jeezy) (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib and Boi-1da)

10. Light Up (Feat. Jay-Z) (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib and Tone Mason)

11. Miss Me (Feat. Lil Wayne) (Produced by Boi-1da and Noah “40″ Shebib)

12. Cece’s Interlude (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib)

13. Find Your Love (Produced by Kanye West)

14. Thank Me Now (Produced by Timbaland)
 
From HipHopDX.com
 
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11297/title.tracklisting-for-drakes-thank-me-later-revealed

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/28/2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/28/2010
March 03, 2010 10:03:00 AM CST | by Allen Jacobs

Sade battled off Lady Antebellum for another week to maintain her #1 spot for a third week with Soldier Of Love. With more television appearances coming, the veteran Jazz/Soul vocalists is enjoying a comeback after nearly a decade hiatus. Her Epic Records project is also a celebrated success to the label who's biggest enjoyment last year was a posthumous Michael Jackson compilation. The 51 year-old singer is likely to reach platinum by month's end.

The Black Eyed Peas enjoyed their 38th week on the charts. The group fell one spot of their Interscope Records release The E.N.D. Already at double platinum, a new video "Imma Be Rocking That Body," has will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and Apl.De.Ap staying as close to the top of the charts as they've been in months. will.i.am will soon be working on Usher's Raymond v. Raymond.



Lil Wayne's Rebirth slipped one spot too, as Wayne suggests that a video will surface within a month of his collaboration with Eminem for "Drop The World" . With radio support and Wayne remaining free indefinitely, Rebirth could have platinum potential. Alicia Keys' Element Of Freedom fell out of the Top 10 last week. The platinum release was rivaled in week sales by Rihanna's dark outcry, Rated R.

* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandeth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
1
Sade
Soldier Of Love
127,000
820,000

4 Black Eyed Peas
The E.N.D.
50,000
2,181,000

6
Lil Wayne
Rebirth
38,000
361,000

13
Alicia Keys
Element of Freedom
24,000
1,102,000

14
Rihanna
Rated R
24,000
688,000


Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 and Eminem's Relapse remain cemented on the Top 200, with 25 and 41 weeks on the chart respectively. Jay-Z already began speaking about his next album, reportedly his first with Sony Records, two weeks ago.

50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct has crossed the 400,000 mark and heads towards platinum in what appears to be his final Interscope album after a tremendous eight year run. Close behind, Drake hopes to take his debut EP, So Far Gone to 400,000 next week, which remains groundbreaking for an album that few people are recognizing as "official," based on its free download beginnings.

Freeway & Jake One's The Stimulus Package fell nearly 100 places between its debut and sophomore week. Free's first "official" independent album, this on the Minneapolis-based Rhymesayers label was supported with a whole album's worth of production from Seattle's most prolific producer, Jake One. The album features guest appearances from Beanie Sigel, Young Chris, Raekwon and Freeway's latest label employer, Birdman. More videos from the project are expected soon, though radio has not embraced the independent project.




Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
37
Jay-Z Blueprint 3
13,000
1,645,000

52
Eminem Relapse
11,000
1,864,000

63
50 Cent
Before I Self Destruct
8,400
411,100

78
Drake
So Far Gone
7,100
394,000

158
Freeway & Jake One
The Stimulus Package
3,500
13,000

From HipHopDX.com

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10753/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-2-28-2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/21/2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/21/2010
February 24, 2010 11:02:00 PM CST | by Allen Jacobs

Sade defended her #1 turf for a second straight week with Soldier Of Love. With more television appearances coming, the veteran Jazz/Soul vocalists is enjoying a comeback after nearly a decade hiatus. Her Epic Records project is also a celebrated success to the label who's biggest enjoyment last year was a posthumous Michael Jackson compilation. The 51 year-old Nigerian-born singer also owned her spot by a margin of nearly 50,000 units.

The Black Eyed Peas have impressed the charts for close to nine months. Still, the group's return to #3 suggests that their June of 2009 Interscope Records release The E.N.D. isn't anywhere close to losing momentum. Already at double platinum, a new video "Imma Be Rocking That Body," has will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and Apl.De.Ap staying as close to the top of the charts as they've been in months. Later this year, will.i.am and his label are going to be releasing Kelis' first album since her highly-publicized split with Nas.



Lil Wayne's Rebirth may reach gold before the New Orleans-born super-star sees jail-time. The Cash Money/Universal Motown release remains in the Top 5, as Wayne suggests that a video will surface within a month of his collaboration with Eminem for "Drop The World" . With radio support for that as a single, Rebirth could have platinum potential.

Two R&B acts closed out the Top 10 last week. Alicia Keys' Element Of Freedom readies for a new single and perhaps more traction while Jaheim's Another Round heads towards 200,000 units. The 31 year-old New Jersey native's album features Jadakiss on the "Ain't Leavin' Without You (Remix)" from his fifth album.

* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandeth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
1
Sade
Soldier Of Love
190,000
694,000

3 Black Eyed Peas
The E.N.D.
65,000
2,131,000

5
Lil Wayne
Rebirth
58,000
324,000

7
Alicia Keys
Element of Freedom
39,000
1,078,000

8
Jaheim
Another Round
36,000
148,000


Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 and Eminem's Relapse both remained in the Top 50 for another week. Jay-Z already began speaking about his next album, reportedly his first with Sony Records, last week.

Freeway & Jake One's The Stimulus Package entered the charts at #61. Free's first "official" independent album, this on the Minneapolis-based Rhymesayers label was supported with a whole album's worth of production from Seattle's most prolific producer, Jake One. The album features guest appearances from Beanie Sigel, Young Chris, Raekwon and Freeway's latest label employer, Birdman.



Gold Dust/K7 Records released a compilation of largely recycled and alternate tracks from various Wu-Tang Clan members. All produced by longtime Method Man deejay and "Mighty Healthy" producer Mathematics, Return of the Wu & Friends was a notable appearance from the label home to Zion I, Soul Asssasins and Crown City Rockers. The compilation, which includes rare work from Ol' Dirty Bastard, scanned nearly 3,500 first week units on the indie.

New Orleans Funk/Jazz outfit Galactic's eighth album Ya Ka May fell 48 spots to close out the Top 200. The Anti Records group told DX that they are soon to be at work on a full length album with former Jurassic 5 emcee Chali 2na.


Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
32
Jay-Z Blueprint 3
16,000
1,631,000

45
Eminem Relapse
14,000
1,853,000

61
Freeway & Jake One
The Stimulus Package
9,000
9,100

163
Mathematics
Return of the Wu & Friends
3,400
3,400

200
Galactic
Ya-Ka-May
2,700
7,800

From HipHopDX.com

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10702/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-2-21-2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/14/2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/14/2010
February 17, 2010 03:02:00 PM CST | by Allen Jacobs

Sade soldiered through with her Soldier Of Love. The 51 year-old Nigerian singer not only debuted at #1, but she scanned over 500,000 first week domestic units. The Sony release, her first album in a decade shocked the charts this week, as Sade is still getting radio adds and doing limited press. The Soul/Jazz vocalist is said to be appearing on Drake's Thank Me Later later this year, her first Rap album appearance since 2001's "Hard Time Hustlin'" with Krayzie Bone.

Split between bumped Country/Pop act Lady Antebellum, another R&B star debuted at #3. Atlantic Records' Jaheim's Another Round performed strongly, selling over 100,000 copies. The 31 year-old New Jersey native's album features Jadakiss on the "Ain't Leavin' Without You (Remix)" from his fifth album.

Lil Wayne's Rebirth sold under 100,000 second-week units. The Cash Money/Universal Motown artist will remain a free man from a postponed sentencing to Riker's Island Correctional Facility, but Wayne's limited in marketing the Rock-inspired album largely produced by Cool & Dre.

The Black Eyed Peas are officially double platinum. The E.N.D. just introduced a new single, "Imma Be Rocking That Body," as Interscope may find a new one-two punch to go along with Eminem in Rap/Pop sales. Alicia Keys' Element Of Freedom also officially crossed the platinum mark, which all three of her previous albums have done.

* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandeth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
1
Sade
Soldier Of Love
502,000
503,000

3 Jaheim
Another Round
112,000
112,000

4
Lil Wayne
Rebirth
89,000
265,000

8
Black Eyed Peas
The E.N.D.
67,000
2,066,000

12
Alicia Keys
Element of Freedom
40,000
1,039,000


Lil Wayne and teammates' We Are Young Money crossed the 300,000 line. The album, along with Rebirth, will likely remain on the charts through to Drake's Thank Me Later, presently due in April or May.

Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 and Eminem's Relapse both remained in the Top 50. Both releases have double-platinum aspirations, particularly Jay-Z's one-album distribution deal with Atlantic Records, who's biggest star, T.I., was unable to release a 2009 album due to his jail sentence.

Two Rap-related releases cracked the charts last week. New Orleans Funk/Jazz outfit Galactic's eighth album Ya Ka May debuted at #152. The Anti Records group has frequently worked with The Coup, and may have a full-length on the way with a Jurassic 5 member. HipHopDX will report more on that this month. Poet/singer and Rap pioneer Gil Scott-Heron's I'm New Here sold just under 4,000 debut week units. The XL Records album features Kanye West soundbeds, as well as some public support from Mos Def.



Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
41
Young Money
We Are Young Money
20,000
311,000

43
Jay-Z Blueprint 3
19,000
1,615,000

48
Eminem
Relapse
16,000
1,840,000

142
Galactic
Ya-Ka-May
4,900
5,100

181
Gil Scott-Heron
I'm New Here
3,700
3,900

From HipHopDX.com

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10652/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-2-14-2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/7/2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/7/2010
February 10, 2010 09:02:00 AM CST | by Allen Jacobs

Lil Wayne's Rebirth sold an impressive 175,000 debut week units. The Cash Money/Universal Motown project benefited from Wayne being in headlines for both his (now postponed) jail sentence, but also being one of the celebrity faces to the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl victory in Miami. Weezy F.'s Auto-Tune heavy Rock experiment with Cool & Dre could not budge Country/Pop act Lady Antebellum's Need You Now, who assumed #1 for a second straight week. Numerous radio stations yesterday were doing special Young Money dedications to honor Wayne's reporting to Riker's Island. Next week will show if that gave Rebirth any chance of a second run at #1.



With The 2010 Grammy Awards on Sunday, the charts reflected a who's who of nominees. For starters, Capitol Records' compilation of nominees, which included The Black Eyed Peas, bounced back to #5. Those same Peas are within a thousand units sold to take The E.N.D. to double-platinum. The release likely crossed that mark Monday or Tuesday, though Interscope Records has yet to confirm.

Michael Jackson's This Is It fell six spots on the charts. The Epic Records soundtrack companion to the summer film surged 11 spots. Alicia Keys' Element Of Freedom and Beyonce's I Am...Sasha Fierce battled it out on the charts. The two were less than 600 units apart, as a rounded figure shows that Keys will see her latest platinum plaque as of next week's review. J Records has yet to confirm.

* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandeth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
2
Lil Wayne
Rebirth
176,000
176,000

5 Various Artists
2010 Grammy Nominees
71,000
165,000

6
Black Eyed Peas
The E.N.D.
70,000
1,999,000

11
Michael Jackson's
This Is It
35,000
1,439,000

13
Alicia Keys
Element of Freedom
34,000
1,000,000


Lil Wayne and teammates' We Are Young Money still are short of 300,000. As predicted, the charts boasted numerous Young Money/Cash Money acts, including Rebirth, We Are Young Money, Jay Sean's debut, Birdman's latest, Drake's EP, and even former Hot Boy Juvenile.

Although numbers were tallied prior to his Super Bowl pre-game performance Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 saw an excellent week in sales growth. The Atlantic Records-distributed break from Def Jam climbed 10 spaces. Eminem's Relapse climbed seven spots, as the release aims to go double platinum by mid-March.

Drake's So Far Gone EP was just barely out of Top 50. The fall debut release approaches 400,000, and remains Drake's starting point, with a gold plaque likely in sight. 50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct gained 17 spots last week. This could be another album, that with radio support of a new single, could reach gold status by early spring.



Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
28
Young Money
We Are Young Money
21,000
291,000

30
Jay-Z Blueprint 3
19,000
1,597,000

34
Eminem
Relapse
18,000
1,824,000

53
Drake
So Far Gone
12,000
369,000

69
50 Cent
Before I Self Destruct
8,500
387,000

Despite hope from some, neither powerful east coast deejay, Statik Selektah, nor DJ Green Lantern cracked the charts with debut albums last week.

From HipHopDX.com

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10597/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-2-7-2010