Sales charts are more than just bar graphs and seismic looking line work, it is a complex network of retail results and online data. Though it can’t be tallied to perfection, it is nevertheless reliable when approached with a discerning eye. Such sight-seeing is at the core of Charts Don’t Lie, an on-going look at the top performing records in Rap and R&B. Unlike other coverage this series offers readers both an entertaining and educational take on what numbers are out there, and why exactly they’re important. As always, let’s kick things off with the always contested album sales:
1.) Trey Songz – Chapter V: It seems as though the fifth time is a charm. After four well-performing albums Trigga finally has his first #1. Topping both Billboard’s 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop charts he has a lot of reasons to celebrate, 134,600 to be exact. That said his chart success doesn’t match his sales achievements of the past, as Passion, Pain & Pleasure moved 240k its debut week.
2.) 2 Chainz – Based On A T.R.U. Story: Ushered into second after one week at first, Tity Boi did so by dropping 68% overall. The Real University’s musical score sold 47,332 additional copies, meaning he still hasn’t surpassed the 200k mark. Be that as it may he continues to have R&B/Hip-Hop’s premiere single with “No Lie.”
3.) DJ Khaled – Kiss The Ring: Similar to Trey Songz, DJ Khaled is suffering in the present era. With 40,115 records out the gate he is charting, but underperforming when compared to the past. On the bright side he has his fourth top ten release, which isn’t something to snuff at.
4.) Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don’t: Speaking of positive vibes, Rozay is enjoying exactly that with his current collection. Another 26,505 can be added to his tally, making his overall numbers just shy of 350,000. Furthermore, with his signees Wale & Meek Mill both having top five singles it’s nice to be the Boss.
5.) Drake – Take Care: Chris Brown, Usher, Frank Ocean, and Nas were all surpassed by Drizzy this week. Impressive to note considering the aforementioned album has been out for 41 weeks. 14,513 units is what it took to get him back into the Top 5, meaning he is inches away from going double-platinum in a year.
Other important news includes the fact Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday… Roman Reloaded was an extremely close sixth. Perhaps this is because of the recent triumph of her song, “Pound The Alarm”. Suffice it to say YMCMB is dominating the market in 2012. However, it can be said that Hip-Hop/R&B as a whole is not. Pop music stands as the means most of these artists are utilizing to garner profitable attention. Wiz Khalifa is capturing the crowd with help from Maroon 5, and Big Sean is doing the same with Justin Bieber. That is unless you’re Beyonce whose charitable efforts on World Humanitarian Day have helped her catalog gain renewed exposure. Until next week these are the characters you can count on.