WEEK IN PREVIEW: SLIM’S PHATTTTT

It’s on, fool. Yep, the big guns of the fourth quarter are firing in earnest, as evidenced by Eminem’s 8 Mile soundtrack (Shady/Interscope), which has been kicking major booty at the cash registers. As of this moment, the year’s second major Eminem release (he already has the best-selling album of the year in The Eminem Show) appears headed for a first week of around 700k.

Also stirring up sales are the new Nirvana compilation (featuring "You Know You’re Right) on Geffen and Christina Aguilera’s image-shifting Stripped (RCA). The kings of grunge look likely to make 250k for the week, while the Aguilera, which is still trending up, has a shot at hitting 350k.

In radio, word out of the Top 40 world is that Shania Twain’s "I’m Gonna Getcha Good" (Mercury Nashville) and Nelly’s "Air Force Ones" (Fo’ Real/Universal) should nab the most adds, while cleanup continues on Good Charlotte (Epic) and Aguilera.

At Crossover, look for Nelly, which officially impacts this week, to continue making noise even though last week’s early-believer action made him #3 Most Added. This week’s Most Added honors, however, should go to Ja Rule f/Bobby Brown, whose "Thug Lovin’" (Murder Inc./Def Jam) is all the rage, though there’s also big buzz on B2K f/P. Diddy, whose "Bump, Bump, Bump" also hits this week.

And in the wonderful world of Post Modern, look for System of a Down to shred all comers with "Inner Vision" (American/Columbia/CRG), as early action on Coldplay’s "Clocks" (Capitol) continues.