WEEK IN PREVIEW: OUTKAST, DA BAND TO VIE FOR #1

Thanks to the miracle of mid-to-late-week sales reports, we are able to provide you with the following update:

Last week’s #1, OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (Arista), has a definite shot at remaining #1 this week, but not without some stiff competition. Indeed, as the tallying of sales reports continues, Bad Boy/Universal’s Da Band is on track to score a first week of over 200k, while OutKast’s second week looks like it will come in at about the same range, meaning it’s possible Da Band could be da next #1.

Meanwhile, last week’s #2, Dave Matthews, will likely see his Some Devil (RCA) log a second week of about 150k, making room for Dido’s Life for Rent (Arista) and Sting’s Sacred Love (A&M), which appear headed for debut weeks of 180k and 170k, respectively.

Also headed for this week’s Top 10 is Martina McBride’s Martina (RCA Nashville), which should lock in yet another solid debut for the RCA Label Group at around 125k.

Hitting the streets Tuesday is Ludacris’ Chicken & Beer (Def Jam South/IDJ), the first release to carry Universal Music Group’s new JumpSTART pricing. Other new releases include Warner Bros.’ Static-X, a new Elvis compilation from BMG Heritage and Columbia’s Wilshire.