TWISTA & SHOUT
Atlantic/Atl G hip-hop veteran Twista rode his smash hit, "Slow Jamz," into the #1 spot on this week’s chart with a Kamikaze attack that resulted in a sales week hotter than the Super Bowl halftime show, racking up an impressive 281k.
Homers’ Rick Galusha stopped watching his TiVo of the Super Bowl halftime show long enough to exclaim: "Twista has turned out to be the first big record of the new year. That much airplay never hurt any record, but this surpassed all expectations."
Kudos to both the label and WEA distribution, which were able to fulfill the demand despite stormy weather across the country.
That more than tripled the runners-up, expected Arista Grammy dominators OutKast, who dropped to #2, but will undoubtedly experience a major increase after this Sunday’s Awards ceremony.
The rest of the Top Five included A&M/Interscope’s Sheryl Crow (#3), Wind-up’s Evanescence (#4) and J Records’ Ruben Studdard (#5).
DTP/Capitol rapper Chingy (#7) returned to the Top 10 and was up a whopping 40%, thanks to his third hit single in a row, "One Call Away." Jive’s Britney Spears (#6) also climbed back into the charmed circle, followed by Columbia/CRG’s Now Vol. 14 (#8), Interscope’s No Doubt (#9) and DreamWorks Nashville rabble rouser Toby Keith (#10).
Other chart newcomers included Razor & Tie’s compilation Fired Up! (#12), MCA Nashville’s Josh Turner (#38) and Verity’s Wow Gospel 2004 collection (#43).
Those experiencing major boosts in sales include Blue Note’s Norah Jones, up a huge 51% (#47-27), just as her eagerly awaited new album, Feels Like Home, hits the streets next Tuesday (2/10).
Others with double-digit sales boosts were Columbia/CRG’s Jessica Simpson (+17%, #15), Def Jam South/IDJ’s Ludacris (+21%, #20), Octone/J Records’ Maroon 5 (+14%, #21), Capitol’s Coldplay (+17%, #31) and Atlantic/Atl G metal ironists The Darkness (+11%, #42).
Next week, look for Epic’s Incubus, BNA/RLG’s Kenny Chesney and Columbia/CRG’s Harry Connick Jr. to top the chart debuts.
Added Galusha: "We’re looking forward to keeping the momentum going with Kenny Chesney and Incubus. Either one of those records could debut #1 next week. Now will someone please replace my bustier? I'm having a serious wardrobe malfunction."
