Wale Silences Critics W/ Chart-Topping “Album About Nothing” First-Week Sales

Maybach Music Group rapper Wale has something to brag about this week after selling 100,000 copies of his new The Album About Nothing LP in its first seven days of availability.

According to reports, Wale’s newest solo offering toppled its competition to land at number one.

With the No. 1 arrival, Wale beats out the surging Furious 7 soundtrack, which drives 17-2 and is the greatest gainer on the chart. The Album About Nothing was released on March 31 through EBM Music/Maybach/Atlantic Records, and tallied 100,000 equivalent album units in the week ending April 5 (according to Nielsen Music). The Furious 7 album (on Universal Studios/Atlantic) shifted 74,000 (a gain of 202 percent). (Billboard)

Check out what goal Wale said he hoped the new LP would achieve on the next page…

Initial estimates predicted Wale would land a chart-topping release last week.

*Wale (Atlantic) 85-90k sales, 90-95k SPS
Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) 55-60k sales, 70-75k SPS
*Ludacris (Def Jam) 55-60k sales, 60-65k SPS
*Death Cab For Cutie (Atlantic) 45-50k sales, 50-55k SPS (HITS Daily Double)

Wale recently said he hoped his new album would finally open fans’ eyes and earn him the respect he deserved.

“Everyone says, “Be patient. It’ll happen.” But all signs are showing, “No, it won’t happen.” I’m okay with people not liking my music but provide an intelligent reason for why you like or don’t like something or you’re a hater or a d*ck-rider. This is my fourth album. I want some respect. I want to go to a party and not have Katy Perry tell her security to move me out of the f*ckin’ way. We do the same thing. I know there’s no union in the music industry, but have some respect. I want people to be like, “Your album’s just as good as Kendrick [Lamar]’s or Esperanza Spalding or Beck.” I work just as hard as them.” (Billboard)

The Washington, DC native’s new The Album About Nothing release hit retail outlets last week.

1. “The Intro About Nothing”
2. “The Helium Balloon”
3. “The White Shoes”
4. “The Pessimist” feat. J. Cole
5. “The Middle Finger”
6. “The One Time in Houston”
7. “The Girls on Drugs”
8. “The God Smile”
9. “The Need to Know” feat. SZA
10. “The Success”
11. “The Glass Egg”
12. “The Bloom (AG3)”
13. “The Matrimony” feat. Usher
14. “The Body” feat. Jeremih [Bonus Track] (The Album About Nothing)