BAD BOYS IS II GOOD!!!

P. Diddy did it again.

The hip-hop artist/entrepreneur shows he hasn’t lost a step after moving his Bad Boy label from Arista to Universal. He and his new UMG pals have hit the ground running with the soundtrack to Bad Boys II, as the album, like the movie, zooms to #1 in its first week, on sales north of 330k. As an added bonus, album sales were boosted by Nelly/P. Diddy/Murphy Lee's "Shake Ya Tailfeather," currently burning up Urban and Crossover radio.

Homers’ Rick Galusha reiterated his support for Kobe while asking for the girl’s phone number before effusing: "It’s just amazing how Bad Boys II is selling. There hasn’t been a soundtrack this hot in a long time. With a huge radio story, this has the feel of a franchise."

Bowing "Right Thurr" at #2 is DTP/Capitol hip-hopper Chingy, the latest St. Louis card from Ludacris’ Disturbing tha Peace posse by way of Arch City homeboy Nelly—got that? RCA Nashville dynamic duo Brooks & Dunn was the third newcomer to the Top Four at #4, with only #3 Columbia/CRG diva Beyoncé breaking up the domination of first-timers.

"The Chingy record is seeing big, big sales, especially for a brand-new artist," Galusha added "‘Right thurr’ is now part of my everyday vocabulary. Once again, a big radio record takes full advantage and breaks through. Brooks & Dunn are also having a great week."

The rest of the Top 10 included the usual suspects, including Murder Inc./IDJ co-diva Ashanti at #5, Wind-up’s Evanescence at #6, Shady/Aftermath/Interscope rapper 50 Cent at #7, Blue Note phenomenon Norah Jones at #8 and Maverick troubadouress Michelle Branch in the #10 position.

A fourth debut, from Universal’s Pat Green—a Texas Springsteen who is breaking big out of monstrous regional sales in the Lone Star State—finished #11. Weee-dawggy!

Also making chart bows were So So Def/Arista’s Da Brat (#22), Def Jam/IDJ old-school hip-hopper Keith Murray (#17), who announced this would be his last record for the label, and Epic neo-soul singer Macy Gray (#49).

Brooks & Dunn’s RCA Nashville labelmate Kenny Chesney showed the week’s biggest increase, with a 10% rise at #48, while the company continues its hot summer with the release of Brad Paisley this week and Alan Jackson next month.

Look for Paisley, UTV’s Now 13, Capitol’s Jane’s Addiction, Interscope’s Mya and Volcano’s 311 to break into the Top 50 when next we meet.