Taking advantage of the calm before the fall releases start in earnest next Tuesday, System will challenge both Aaliyah and Mary J. Blige for the top spot on next week's chart.

DOWN IS UP, BUT IS IT
ENOUGH TO DEBUT #1?

System of a Down Is Climbing, Slipknot's Falling Off, While Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige Hang On
It's going to be a Down week at retail, but don't let that fool ya.

American/Columbia recording artists System of a Down's new Rick Rubin-produced Toxicity, whose release yesterday capped a literal riot in the streets of Hollywood on Labor Day, could close in on 200k sales its opening week, giving it a shoo-in at a Top 5 bow.

Taking advantage of the calm before the fall releases start in earnest next Tuesday, System will challenge both Aaliyah and Mary J. Blige for the top spot on next week's chart. The Aaliyah phenomenon, which catapulted her Blackground/Virgin debut to this week's 337k in the wake of her tragic death, is hard to figure. This week's #2 album, Mary J. Blige's No More Drama (MCA), appears off anywhere from 30-40%, which would put it in the 200-225k area next week.

Meanwhile, Slipknot's Roadrunner/IDJ bow Iowa, predictably, has reached the committed fan base and is now dropping like a summer film blockbuster, losing up to 50% off its opening week of 273k. This one will need radio and video love to lengthen its stay in the Top 10.

Next week's boffo release slate includes albums from Jay-Z, Babyface, Bob Dylan, Fabolous, Mariah Carey, Nickelback, P.O.D., Slayer and the Training Day ST.

HITS LIST BLASTS OFF
Space is the place for Tay. (4/26a)
SONG STREAMS: SWIFT SETS STREAMING RECORD
What did you expect? (4/26a)
SPRING BREAKOUTS: THESE HEATERS ARE STILL HOT
Who's Boomin who. (4/26a)
SONG REVENUE: “SWEET” SMELLS OF SUCCESS
Life after "Church" (4/26a)
STAGECOACH: SETS TO SEE AND PLACES TO BE
Saddle up, cowboys and cowgirls. (4/26a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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