JAY-Z AND THE BEATLES: YEAH, YEAH, YEAH

Thanks to a tireless promotion regimen culminating in a live national telecast from Madison Square Garden last Friday (9/11), the MTV VMAs and a performance on last night’s premiere of The Jay Leno Show, Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3, the first album for his own Roc Nation label through Atlantic Records, debuts at #1, with an impressive 465k+ in sales.

Right behind him were the similarly ubiquitous Fab Four, as 13 of their Apple/Capitol reissues re-enter the chart along with the Stereo Box Set, including four in the Top 10 (Abbey Road at #3, Sgt. Pepper at #6, the White Album at #7 and Rubber Soul at #9). Only Yellow Submarine and the Mono Box Set barely missed the Top 50.

Wu Tang Clan member Raekwon’s long-awaited sequel, Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, on his own IceH2O label distributed by EMI’s Music Label Services Group, is the week’s other Top 5 newcomer at #5, followed by retiring Arista Nashville country duo Brooks & Dunn’s greatest hits album, debuting at #8.

Hollywood’s Miley Cyrus remains #2, while last week’s chart-topper, Arista/RMG’s Whitney Houston, dips to #4, but should show a massive up tick next week after her appearance yesterday and today on Oprah. Epic’s Michael Jackson compilation, Number Ones, rounds out the Top 10.

Columbia’s Boys Like Girls, which finishes just outside the leaders at #11, heads the rest of the chart debuts, including Jemp’s Phish (#18), Virgin’s Saosin (#29) and A Fine Frenzy (#50). RCA/RMG’s Dave Matthews Band returns to the Top 50 at #44.

Interscope’s still-smoldering Black Eyed Peas lead all double-digit gainers at #12, up a whopping 34%.

Hitting retail this week and the charts next week are Young Money/Cash Money/ Universal Motown hip-hop phenom Drake’s seven-song EP, Warner Bros.’ U.K. arena rockers Muse and Universal Motown’s Kid Cudi. This Sunday (9/20), it’s all about Pearl Jam’s Backspacer, available exclusively at Target, iTunes and indie retailers.