This week we’re seeing a new entry with G-Unit’s The Beast Is G-Unit EP hitting the charts. Although it moved under 20k opening week, we doubt the Unit is too upset. 50 Cent had mentioned in a previous interview that the whole reason they kicked off their reunion with EPs was to relieve some of the pressure of dropping an album, and it not doing numbers—basically, it’s easier to start with EPs and work their way towards that album that’ll have a big opening week. They definitely sound like they never left, so we have no qualms that they can get back to that album status eventually. Apart from the Unit, Drake continues to dominate, and he even has an old album hopping back on the Billboard 200. Thank Me Later is now charting at #29—that’s only five spots below the new album from Chris Brown and Tyga, Fan Of A Fan, if you can believe it. Check out how Chris Brown, Tyga and others fared this past week below.
1) Drake— If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late: Drake continues to call the #4 spot on the Billboard 200 home. The OVO rapper is unmoved this week, after selling and streaming another 72,878 copies (sales: 38,950). His total sales have reached 721,454.
2) Big Sean— Dark Sky Paradise: After making a Billboard entrance at #1, Big Sean drops this week to #6 with DSP selling/streaming 57,516 units (sales: 35,359). Total sales for the third album fom the Detroit rapper are at 174,786. Will he be able to stay afloat in the long run?
3) Nicki Minaj—The Pinkprint: Nicki’s album isn’t descending without a fight, this week dropping just one spot to #13. The Pinkprint moved 34,501 copies (sales: 12,164). Her total sales surpassed half a million, at 552,772.
4) Chris Brown & Tyga— Fan Of A Fan: The Album: The Breezy and T-Raww collaborative album hasn’t really been able to hold up in its second week, despite the strength of the two names attached to it. Nonetheless Fan Of A Fan sold and streamed a combined 21,823 units (sales: 12,781). This brings their total number to 64,126.
5) J. Cole—2014 Forest Hills Drive: As we head into the summer, it’s still a Cole World. The rapper’s acclaimed album falls just three spots this week to #25, after spending 13 weeks on the charts. Cole did 20,919 units this week (sales: 13,612), with total sales rising to 815,302.
6) G-Unit— The Beast Is G-Unit EP: The newly-reunited Unit dropped off their second EP recently, making their Billboard 200 debut this week at #27. While it’s not the numbers they’re probably used too, it’s agood start as they get back into the rap game. G-Unit sold/streamed 18,542 opening week (sales: 17,639).
7) Rae Sremmurd— SremmLife: Rae Sremmurd are back up this week after dropping to #36 last week. Sitting at #30, the brothers moved another 17,516 units, a number largely accounted for by streams (sales: 8,405). Total sales for the debut album are nearing 100k, at 89,941.
8) Ne-Yo—Non-Fiction: Ne-Yo’s new album comes in below Rae Sremmurd at #33, after charting for six weeks. The r’n’b veteran sold and streamed 15,047 (sales: 7,514) this past week. His total sales are 108,601.
The Hot 100 this week finds Drake’s IYRTITL continue to thrive, with “Know Yourself” rising up 10 spots to #65, which is a new peak. “Throw Sum Mo,” from Rae Sremmurd, Nicki Minaj and Young Thug also finds a new peak at #64. Further below, Omarion’s “Post To Be” rises up to #44, and Big Sean’s “Blessings” moves up to #30. Nicki Minaj’s “Only” descends five spots to #23, while Kanye West makes his debut way(yyy) up at #15. Another Pinkprint track, “Truffle Butter” remains stagnant at #14, while Fetty Wap’s incessantly catchy “Trap Queen” makes its way to the top 10 at #12.