Kanye West Makes History, 50 Cent Comes Up Short, Fergie Continues Her Reign

In this week's Hip-Hop & R&B Charts, Kanye West emerges as the "Champion," 50 Cent comes in second and Fergie gets dethroned.

Debuting impressively at No. 1 on the charts this week is Kanye West with his third solo album Graduation. According to Nielsen's SoundScan, the album shifted 957,000 discs in its opening week making it the highest selling album of the year in first week sales. The album features appearances from Lil' Wayne, Mos Def and Coldplay front man Chris Martin.

Entering the charts at No. 2 is 50 Cent. His third solo album, Curtis, which features appearances from Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake, reels in 691,000 units in its opening week.

After leading the race last week, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas slips four spots to No. 6. Dutchess, which is still grinding out after 52 weeks, scans 40,500 discs this week. The album's tally stands at 2,679,100.

Justin Timberlake continues his reign on the charts as he elevates two spots to No. 10. FutureSex/Love Sounds cashes out 30,900 units this week, pushing the album's total sales to 3,603,100.

Timberlake's partner in hit record production, Timbaland, leaps thirteen spots to No. 36. Thus far, Shock Value has sold a total of 641,900 copies with 27,300 units representing the week-in total.

Also moving on up is Common, who takes three steps up to No. 17. Finding Forever hustles 26,400 discs in its seventh week on the charts. To date, the album has sold 353,300 copies.

Posted at No. 13 is Def Jam crooner Rihanna. Good Girl Gone Bad shelves off 26,300 discs this week. The album's tally stands at 662,100 after 15 weeks on the charts.

Atlanta representer T.I. slips three slots to No. 19. T.I. Vs. T.I.P. bags up 25,700 copies this week. In total, the album has sold 1,053,100 copies.

Controversial British singer Amy Winehouse slumps eleven lots to No. 20. Back To Black bagged up 25,100 units this week. After 27 weeks, the album's tally stands at 1,178,200.

Four steps behind her is Slip-N-Slide standout Plies at No. 24 20,600 truth seekers picked up Real Testament this week, pushing the album's total sales to 228,300.

Bad Boy R&B groupB5 debut at No. 27. Thanks to their lead single, "Hydrolics," their sophomore album Don't Talk Just Listen pushed 18,500 copies in its first week out.

A %14 increase in sales pushes Talib Kweli eleven spots up to No. 28. Eardrum sells 18,100 copies this week, bringing the album's total sales to 118,500.

Yung Joc continues to struggle to find a solid spot as he plunges nineteen slots to No. 30. Hustlenomics netted 17,400 units this week. After 3 weeks, the album has sold 114,100 copies.

Two steps down flirting with the "Bartender" is Florida crooner T-Pain. Epiphany moved 16,700 discs this week, pushing his total numbers to 650,600.

Akon slips four spots to No. 37 this week selling 15,100 copies of his sophomore CD. After forty four weeks on the charts , Konvicted has sold 2,658,400 copies.

Serenading at No. 39 is Jamaican sensation Sean Kingston. His self titled album moves 14,900 units this week , bringing the album's tally to 219,100.

H-Town duo UGK fall on hard times as they plummet fifteen spots to No. 40 Underground Kingz scoops up 14,800 discs this week. To date, the album has sold 316,700 copies.

Floating a level up to No. 54 is Fabolous. The tally for From Nothing To Something stands at 457,600. the album scanned 10,700 copies this week.

New York bred singer Chrisette Michelle continues her steady incline as she weaves four spots up to No. 56. I Am rakes in 10,300 units this week, pushing the album's total sales to 147,600.

Cupid, the man behind the popular "Cupid Shuffle," debuts on the charts at No. 57 with his first major label project titled Time For Change. The set,which features T-Pain , B.O.B. and Shorty Da Kid , reins in 10,300 copies in its opening week.

Holding fort at No. 59 is Ne-Yo. This week, Because Of You flipped 9,800 units this week. To date, the set has sold 794,100 copies.

Robin Thicke slips sight spots to No. 67. Evolution Of Robin Thicke lugs in 9,000 units this week, bringing the album's total sales to 1,410,100.

DJ Khaled slides six spots to No. 80. We The Best rings out 7,700 discs this week. To date, the album has sold 214,700 copies. There is no buoy in sight for Swizz Beatz as he sinks twenty seven spots to No. 84. One Man Band Man lugs in 7,600 copies this week. After 4 weeks , the album has sold 78,800 copies.

Chi-town singer R. Kelly rolls in at No. 84 this week with Double Up moving 7,300 discs. The album's tally stands at 855,200. Corrine Bailey Rae registers in at No. 91. Her self titled album scores 6,800 units this week, pushing the album's total sales to 1,696,700.

Aesop Rock sneaks back into The Top 100 landing at No. 96. In its second week, None Shall Pass, garners 6,100 copies. The album's tally stands at 25,200. Wrapping things up is the legendary singer Prince at No. 98. Planet Earth scoops up 10,000 discs this week, pushing the album's total sales to 213,800.

Next week look for Twista and Chamillionaire to make an appearance on the Hip-Hop & R&B Charts.


Source: www.sohh.com