CHART TAKES A WIZ

Wiz Khalifa debuted at #1 on this week’s HITS Album Sales Chart with 85k. The hip-hop artist’s preceding album pulled in a 141k bow in 2012.

Meanwhile, there were big “Yee-haws” in Nashville, as Dack Janiels/Thirty Tigers/Columbia Nashville’s Chase Rice and Big Machine’s tribute to Motley Crue both debuted in the Top 5.

Rice’s Ignite the Night lassoes in a hearty 39k at #3, and Big Machine’s Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Motley Crue, which features covers from Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, LeAnn Rimes, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Cassadee Pope, Darius Rucker, Big & Rich and other heavyweights, hog-ties around 30k, good for #5.

As expected, Hollywood’s Guardian’s of the Galaxy ST landed the #2 spot with another 64k (-32%). Indeed, "various artists" remain a hot commodity overall, as NOW’s Now 51 takes #4 with 33k (-42%) and Disney’s Frozen ST chills at #6 with another 26k (-43%).

Other debuts in the Top 15 include the spaceman himself, eOne’s Ace Frehley (#9, 19k), and Verve’s Smokey Robinson (#13, 13k). What year is it? Where's our bong? Answer the second question first.

Meanwhile Team Capitol hails VMA VIPs Sam Smith, #7 with 25k in his 10th week (-2%) and 5 Seconds of Summer, #8 with 22k in their fifth week (-20%).

Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville) seizes #9 with 14k in his 54th week (-27%), because apparently a few people still didn't own his album.

For all the stats on the Top 50 selling albums this week, click here.

Streeting yesterday for a Monday release following MTV’s VMAs was Ariana Grande’s My Everything, which is destined to deliver #1 honors for Republic’s breakout diva. Arista Nashville’s Brad Paisley also streeted yesterday.