The Atlanta-based rapper’s third album, and first since 2006’s The Inspiration, debuts at #1 on the HITS sales rundown this week, with a total of 253k.
Now that’s an inspiration.
It was more than enough to top Interscope’s comebacking New Kids on the Block, whose Block still does an admirable 101k to debut at #2, for their first album of all-new material since 1994’s Face the Music. Perhaps even more impressive is the group’s Legacy Greatest Hits album, which is the week’s biggest mover, rising #47-28, with a whopping 91% gain.
Tooth & Nail Christian rockers Underoath’s Lost in the Sound of Separation (#6) and fellow Christian act Six Steps’ Chris Tomlin (#9) are the two other newcomers to the Top 10, underlining the strength of bookstore sales.
Last week’s chart-topper, Geffen’s The Game (#3), Atlantic’s Kid Rock (#4), Roadrunner’s Slipknot (#5), Hollywood’s Jonas Brothers (#7), Decca’s Mamma Mia! soundtrack (#8) and Cash Money/Universal Motown’s Lil Wayne (still the best-selling album of 2008) round out the Top 10.
Bad Boy/Atlantic’s Making the Band 3 star Donnie Klang (#19), A&M/Octone’s surging Hollywood Undead (#20), Capitol/EMI’s Brian Wilson (#22), Mutant Enemy’s iTunes exclusive, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog soundtrack (#29) and Columbia’s Terrence Howard (#33) all score debuts in the Top 50.
Atlantic’s Jason Mraz shows some upward mobility, at #16, up 8%, as does Arista/RMG’s Carrie Underwood (#40, +4%).
Interscope’s M.I.A. (#36) returns to the Top 50 on the strength of the single “Paper Planes,” with Provident/Reunion’s Third Day (#46) and Columbia’s Adele also re-entering.
Hitting stores on Tuesday are Island/IDJ’s L. L. Cool J, Epic/SBMG Nashville’s Jessica Simpson, making her debut as a country singer, and Konlive/Geffen’s Kardinal Offishal, with Warner Bros.’ Metallica slated for a Friday release and a probable run at the top spot.
NOW WHAT?
We have no fucking idea.
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