S. Samuel
After strong first-week sales, The Weeknd and 2 Chainz are going to have a tough time trying to reclaim their spots in the top five based on the latest album projections.
Although expected to both put up over 20,000 in week two, new releases like Rick Ross‘ Maybach Music Group Self Made, Vol. 3 compilation are expected to debut higher.
YOUR TOP 15 (WITH BONUS MATERIAL): Next week’s Top 5 will be populated entirely by debuts. And hot on the heels of Keith Urban’s #1 this week, Capitol Nashville scores three in next week’s Top 10, news that causes Mike Dungan to opine, “Eeeeee doggies!” Here’s how it looks headed into the weekend: *Jack Johnson (Brushfire/Republic) 115-120k *Justin Moore (Big Machine) 100-105k *Chris Young (RCA Nashville) 55-60k *MMG Presents: Self Made, Vol. 3 (Atlantic) 50-55k *Avicii (PRMD/Island/IDJ) 45-50k Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville) 40-45k Keith Urban (Capitol Nashville) 35-40k The Weeknd (XO/Republic) 30-35k *Billy Currington (Capitol Nashville) 27-30k 2 Chainz (Def Jam/IDJ) 21-24k (HITS Daily Double)
Earlier in the week, Weeknd reacted to his Kiss Land nearly topping the chart.
“NUMBER 1 ALBUM IN THE COUNTRY. I LOVE MY FANS XO, WE GOOD!!!!!!,” Weeknd tweeted September 18.
“AWWH. SO CLOSE THEY HAD TO RECOUNT!!! STILL GOT THE BEST FANS!! THANK YOU XO” (The Weeknd’s Twitter)
His long-awaited studio release fell just 3,000 albums shy of a number one debut.
Country star Keith Urban debuts at No. 1 with “Fuse,” edging out the also-arriving “Kiss Land” by the Weeknd at No. 2. Less than 3,000 copies separate the albums, which enter the chart with rounded figures of 98,000 and 95,000, respectively, according to Nielsen SoundScan. (The latest sales tracking week ended Sunday, Sept. 15.) That’s the closest margin between Nos. 1 and 2 since early January, when less than 2,000 copies separated the “Les Misérables” soundtrack at No. 1 (92,000) and Mumford & Sons’ “Babel” at No. 2 (91,000). At No. 3 on the Billboard 200 this week, 2 Chainz follows his No. 1 debut effort, “Based on a T.R.U. Story,” with a second top five hit, “B.O.A.T.S. II #METIME.” The new album arrives at No. 3, selling 63,000 copies. “Based on a T.R.U. Story” sold more than twice as much in its first frame, shifting 147,000 units. (Billboard)
Asked about the importance of putting up strong opening week numbers last week, 2 Chainz said there are two ways to look at sales.
“Of course I care. I’m still gon’ grind it out. If it does 50k, I’ll probably be mad as hell and do something like buy another car, make myself feel better. But at the same time, I know it’s a race and if anybody know me, it’s hard to really get me down, get me discouraged. I’m very optimistic. … You don’t want to get into becoming angry rapper mode, pointing fingers at different people. I’m still confident in word of mouth as far as marketing and advertising. … I’m kinda like on some laidback, humble stuff right now ’cause I really think I outdid myself on this album.” (“The Breakfast Club”)
