This week marked the milestone that officially makes the statement Hip Hop is #NOT completely dead....
Billed as the first leak-proof album of its kind, Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative effort, Watch The Throne nearly went reached gold status in its first week. A bulk of those sales were exclusively through iTunes, breaking a record for the Apple digital music store for most first week-units sold ever. Reports indicated that approximately 290,000 of WTT's 436,000 units sold were from iTunes, in which case breaking Coldplay's 2008 record by 135,000 copies. The work features Frank Ocean, Mr. Hudson and Beyonce.
Speaking of, Beyonce's 4 remained a Top 10 release. The Destiny's Child alum's fourth solo offering features an appearance by Outkast's Andre 3000, along with production from Kanye West and his production team - including Jeff Bhasker, as well as a writing credit to former G.O.O.D. Music artist Consequence.
Def Jam Records' other release last week, Ace Hood's Blood, Sweat & Tears pulled a Top debut. The Miami, Florida rapper and DJ Khaled protege sold over 25,000 first-week units. The rapper's third album features Yo Gotti, Lil Wayne and Drake.
Royce Da 5'9 and Eminem (as Bad Meets Evil) and their album, Hell: The Sequel climbed three spots. As of now, the Motor City natives are gradually approaching 500,000 units sold, which would earn Royce his first plaque from the RIAA.
A third duo, Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame's Brick Squad 1017 project, Ferrari Boyz, also debuted, with over 15,000 units sold. The Warner Brothers Records project features production from Drumma Boy, as well as in-house hit-makers Lex Luger and Southside.
* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)
Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
1
Jay-Z & Kanye West
Watch The Throne
436,000
436,000
7 Beyonce
4
27,000
654,000
8
Ace Hood
Blood, Sweat & Tears
26,000
26,000
11
Royce Da 5'9 & Eminem (Bad Meets Evil) Hell: The Sequel
23,000
444,000
21
Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka Flame
Ferrari Boyz
17,000 17,000
Royce Da 5'9's solo album, Success Is Certain, scored a Top 25 debut. Nickel Nine's self-proclaimed "last solo album on an independent" featured some impressive help, such as Eminem, Travis Barker and Joe Budden, despite its Gracie Productions backing. The album is a thematic update to Royce's sophomore album, 2004's Death Is Certain.
Another Detroit, Michigan emcee, Big Sean, is fast approaching 200,000 units sold with his G.O.O.D./Def Jam Records debut, Finally Famous: The Album. Executive produced by Kanye West, the project was largely handled under the direction of Chicago Hip Hop pioneer No I.D.
Speaking of 'Ye, last November's magnum opus My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy saw a 29-place increase on the charts. Reportedly, the album's work with West's mentor, Jay-Z, is what prompted the idea for Watch The Throne.
A follow-up to 2009's Chamber Music, Legendary Weapons enjoyed a third week on the charts. Not to be confused as an official Clan album, this work, produced by Funk outfit The Revelations, along with guidance from RZA, featured Sean Price, Roc Marciano and Action Bronson, in addition to Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God and Inspectah Deck. Masta Killa and GZA did not participate. The work fell 53 more spots in its second week on the charts.
OFWGKTA's Tyler, The Creator and Goblin climbed 19 spots on the charts, crossing the 100,000 mark.
Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
25
Royce Da 5'9
Success Is Certain 16,000 16,000
38
Big Sean
Finally Famous: The Album
11,000 182,000
111
Kanye West
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy 3,900
1,191,000
178 Wu-Tang
Legendary Weapons 2,500
16,000
180
Tyler, The Creator Goblin
2,400
102,000
