Arista skateboard chanteuse Avril Lavigne, whose debut album Let Go, registers yet another weekly sales increase (her fourth in a row).

COUP DE ’VILLE!!!

Irv Gotti, Aerosmith Make Top Five Bows
The Fourth of July may be history, but Fo’ Reel/Universal hip-hop icon Nelly continues to set off chart fireworks with his new album, Nellyville. With a second consecutive week at #1, the spirit of St. Louis is chilling like Ted Williams’ sperm, leading Aftermath/Interscope’s Eminem by more than 150k in sales.

Hastings retail genius Mike Fuller, who can now get Mike Ovitz on the phone, said: "Nelly really held up well in the second week. He’s continuing to put up some real big numbers in what continues to be a very soft market. Hey, you wanna buy some frozen Splendid Splinter DNA real cheap?"

A pair of newcomers cracked the Top Five, with the Murder Inc./IDJ compilation Irv Gotti Presents…The Inc. bowing at #3 and Columbia’s Aerosmith two-disc best-of set, O, Yeah!, landing at #4.

Added Hastings, reading from a prepared script: "Irv Gotti had a very big first week behind a great setup from Def Jam and Murder Inc. And Aerosmith’s greatest-hits package continues to prove the durability of one of America’s premier rock bands. That’s Liv Tyler’s dad’s group, right?"

Rounding out the Top Five is Arista skateboard chanteuse Avril Lavigne, whose debut album Let Go, registers yet another weekly sales increase (her fourth in a row). That gives label boss L.A. Reid three records in the Top 10, as Pink nails #8 and P. Diddy lands at #9. Murder Inc.’s Ashanti (#6), Epic’s Korn (#7) and WMG/BMG’s Totally Hits 2002 complete the Top 10.

Untouchables/Arista’s Donell Jones (39-30) and Interscope’s Enrique (40-33) registered double-digit sales increases.

Other chart newcomers include Reprise’s Green Day (#16), Epic’s Oasis (#19), So So Def/Columbia’s Like Mike soundtrack and—get ready for it—Chicago’s The Very Best of…Only the Beginning, on Rhino (#45).

Next week, make room for WB’s Red Hot Chili Peppers, Geffen’s Counting Crows and Ruff Ryders/Interscope’s Styles.

FIREAID SETS SUPERSTAR LINEUP, EXPANDS TO FORUM
Everybody who's anybody will be performing. (1/16a)
SPOTIFY CANCELS GRAMMY-WEEK EVENTS, DONATES TO FIREAID, MUSICARES, MORE
Yet another shoe drops. (1/16a)
PERSHING SQUARE PUSHES TO SET UP U.S. LISTING FOR UMG
Ackman won't take no for an answer. (1/16a)
ACADEMY TELESCOPES GRAMMY WEEK EVENTS
The show must go on, with modifications. (1/15a)
I LOVE L.A.
Simon Glickman on his adopted hometown (1/16a)
NOW WHAT?
We have no fucking idea.
COUNTRY'S NEWEST DISRUPTOR
Three chords and some truth you may not be ready for.
AI IS ALREADY EATING YOUR LUNCH
The kids can tell the difference... for now.
WHO'S BUYING THE DRINKS?
That's what we'd like to know.
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country