OFF THE CHAINZ!

Barry Weiss, Steve Bartels, Joie Manda and company are as hot as the weather this summer, looking at a third hip-hop—and fourth overall—chart-topper on tap. Following Justin Bieber, then Nas and Rick Ross, comes Def Jam College Park, GA, rapper 2 Chainz’s Based on a T.R.U. Story, which is on target for a #1 debut next Tuesday, with sales in the 130-140k range.

Tauheed Epps, a one-time Playaz Circle member formerly known as Tity Boi, was a protégé of fellow Atlanta rapper Ludacris before breaking out on his own. He had high-profile appearances on hit singles by Kanye West (“Mercy”) and Nicki Minaj (“Beez in the Trap”). The first single from his album, “No Lie,” features Drake.

Notorious Psychopathic Juggalos Insane Clown Posse’s latest, Mighty Death Pop!, is eyeing first-week sales of 35-40k, which would make for a likely Top 5 debut.

Century Media L.A. metalcore group In This Moment, founded in 2005 by lead singer Maria Brink and guitarist Chris Howorth, will see their fourth studio album for the label, Blood, debut with 20-25k after their 2010 release, A Star-Crossed Wasteland, bowed in the Top 40.

Hopeless Records’ Jacksonville, FL, pop-punk band Yellowcard’s Southern Air, the second indie release after leaving Capitol, is headed for between 15-20k in first-week sales, the same amount as Stoopid’s pop-ska outfit Slightly Stoopid. Integrity gospel group Israel & New Breed looks to sell between 10-12k.  

Album sales were down 5% vs. last week, down 17% vs. same week last year (when Jay Z & Kanye's Watch the Throne debuted with 436k) and down 4% year to date.

Track sales were flat vs. last week, up 5% vs. same week last year and up 6% year to date

TEA sales were down 3% vs. last week, down 11% vs. same week last year and down 1% year to date.