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Nelly and Eminem are taking full advantage of the massive airplay both are enjoying. The staying power that these two records are showing is just amazing, as their sales continue to show real strength after months in the street."
——Virgin’s Jerry Suarez

RAP TRUMPS ROCK

Two Young Superstars Battle Two Old-Timers for Sales Dominance
This week’s chart race went down the backstretch to the wire, with more jockeying than you’ll find at Hollywood Park.

In fact, Fo’ Reel/Universal’s Nelly, Aftermath-Interscope’s Eminem, Columbia/CRG’s Bruce Springsteen and Columbia’s debuting James Taylor played leapfrog for the top spot right up until the finish line.

In the end, it was the rappers who won and placed, as the pride of St. Louis—with all due apologies to Stan Musial—and the Motor City’s hip-hop enfant terrible beat back the challenge of the boomer pop-rock icons.

Virgin Entertainment Group’s Jerry Suarez revealed the nag he bet on was now in the glue factory before revealing: "Nelly and Eminem are taking full advantage of the massive airplay both are enjoying. The staying power that these two records are showing is just amazing, as their sales continue to show real strength after months in the street." The man’s a definite Mensa candidate.

Springsteen—whose reign at the top ends after two weeks—finished third, and Taylor, with his own post-Sept. 11 album, surprised retail pundits by selling more than 150k for a #4 debut. Arista skate-pop poet Avril Lavigne rounds out the Top Five as her debut continues strong, with a mere 2% drop off.

Added Suarez: "With Bruce having a solid third week, coupled with James Taylor having a huge first week, it’s obvious that the upper demos are still having a profound impact on our charts." Dude can drop some knowledge.

Rap and rock are also involved in the other Top 10 newcomer, Universal’s double-CD XXX soundtrack, which busts in at #9 on the strength of the Vin Diesel box office champ. Epic’s Now Vol. 10 (#6), WB’s Linkin Park remix album (#7), DreamWorks Nashville’s hell-raising patriot Toby Keith (#8) and RCA’s Dave Matthews Band (#10) complete the Top 10.

Just outside the charmed circle, adult artists like Blue Note/Virgin’s Norah Jones, who goes over the 60k mark for the first time at #12, and Aware/Columbia singer-songwriter John Mayer, at #18, continue their impressive runs. Meanwhile, Capitol Aussie sensations The Vines used a flurry of TV and press breaks to climb 20% in sales (#40-#28).

Elektra/EEG R&B crooner Keith Sweat (#17), Sugar Hill bluegrass band Nickel Creek (#19) and Barak/Priority/Capitol’s Slum Village (#23) all cracked the Top 50 in their first weeks.

Next week, Arista’s Neptunes-produced Clipse have their eye on the prize.

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TIKTOK BANNED!
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THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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