WEEK IN PREVIEW:
RAP TRUMPS ROCK

According to the latest, uh, early returns, the fight for #1 on this week’s Top 50 Albums chart is now between Eminem’s The Eminem Show (Aftermath/Interscope) and Nelly’s Nellyville (Fo’ Reel/Universal), with Bruce Springsteen’s The Rising (Columbia/CRG) just slightly off the pace and in line for the #3 slot in its third week on the chart.

Also maintaining momentum is James Taylor, whose October Road (Columbia/CRG) is making a strong bid for a Top five berth with sales over 100k. And look out for the XXX soundtrack, which is up significantly behind the movie’s Diesel-powered boffo B.O.

In radio, the word from our Top 40 neurosurgeons is that Bon Jovi’s "Everyday" (Island/IDJ) will be in the hunt for most-added honors, along with Amerie’s "Why Don’t We Fall in Love" (Columbia/CRG). New Found Glory’s "My Friends Over You" (Drive-Thru/MCA) will also check in, as clean-up on Uncle Kracker’s "In a Little While" (Lava/Atl G) continues. We’ll also see some early action on the recently leaked Justin Timberlake and Nick Carter projects (Jive), both of which are buzzing strong.

In Crossoverland, look for Xzibit to make it official and build on early action for "Multiply" (Columbia/CRG), while Big Tymers rack ’em up with "Multiply" (Cash Money/Universal). Also look out for Kelly Price (Def Soul).

At Post Modern, it’s all about Stone Sour’s "Brother" (Roadrunner/IDJ), Authority Zero’s "One More Minute" (Lava/Atl G), Box Car Racer’s "There Is" (MCA) and The Used’s "Taste of Ink" (Reprise). Also watch for early adds on Taproot’s "Poem" (Velvet Hammer/Atlantic/Atl G).