Jay Z Finishes #1 - But Sells A LOT Fewer Albums Than Kanye Or 50 Cent

: NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jay-Z scored his 10th No. 1 album on the U.S. pop album charts Wednesday, a feat that ties the rapper with Elvis Presley in second place for the most trips to the top.

The Beatles lead with 19 chart-toppers, and the Rolling Stones are now fourth.

Jay-Z's "American Gangster" -- a disc inspired by the Denzel Washington-Russell Crowe gangster movie -- sold 425,000 copies in the week ended November 12, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Its tally fell far short of the 680,000-unit start for his previous release, "Kingdom Come," in November 2006.

Since 1998, all eight of Jay-Z's solo studio albums have hit No. 1, in addition to his "Collision Course" project with Linkin Park and his "Unfinished Business" collaboration with R. Kelly.

The Eagles' "Long Road Out of Eden," available mostly at Wal-Mart stores, slipped to No. 2 in its second week with 359,000 units.

Garth Brooks' "The Ultimate Hits" debuted at No. 3 with 352,000 units. Brooks' last studio set, 2001's "Scarecrow," debuted at No. 1 with 466,000. His only releases since then have been Wal-Mart exclusives and were thus not eligible to appear on The Billboard 200. (Billboard changed its rules last week, allowing the Eagles to top the chart.)

Teenaged R&B heartthrob Chris Brown started at No. 4 with his second album, "Exclusive," which sold 294,000 copies. His self-titled 2005 debut opened at No. 2 with 154,000.

Carrie Underwood's "Carnival Ride" fell two to No. 5 with 121,000, while Josh Groban's holiday album, "Noel" rose two to No. 6 with 116,000.

Britney Spears' "Blackout," denied a shot at the top after the Billboard rule change, tumbled five places to No. 7 with 87,000 in its second week.

Taylor Swift's self-titled debut soared 18 places to No. 8 with 68,000. The boost came from the album's DVD-enhanced reissue and her Horizon award for best newcomer at last week's Country Music Assn. Awards in Nashville.

Angels & Airwaves' second album, "I-Empire," began at No. 9 with 66,000. The band's first set, "We Don't Need To Whisper," bowed higher, at No. 4, with 127,000 in May 2006.

His first album since completing jail time and surviving a near-fatal car accident in 2006, rapper Cassidy's "B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story" opened at No. 10 with 63,000. His second album, 2005's "I'm a Hustla," started at No. 5 with 93,000.

Album sales were up 7.5% from last week at 9.95 million units, but down 16.8% from the same week in 2006 (11.95 million).

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Comments

Rin246

So who cares about him


Rin246

old news, never buy his album

might bootleg it!!!!


lym3

first!!!!


BklynRogue

MTO I just said taht! You and Fred need to chill!

EXCELLENT VICTORY VIA HOV!!


BADAZZ

go camels


suzieque43

how is that possible...and those lips...he needs some saphhyire(spelling)lip chap, YUCK!


ChanelShades

That album is the shhhhh!!!


c

HOVI YOU DID IT

YOU MADE HIP HOP AND BLACK HISTORY ON BILLBOARD BIG HOMIE! 10 #1 ALBUMS!!!

HOVA HOVA HOVA HOVA!!!!


BlackHoney

LMAO @ C


iluvyellaboys

he had his company buy his cd in volumes........guess what J numbers do live remember kingdom come? I don't. it's over you're too old......groom your artist now, and you can say to yourself "I did that" I groomed these new artist for the future, cause yours in the record company is a wrap!


c

iluvyellaboys

He's the first Black artist to get 10 #1 Albums, And his conerts sold out in seconds so How is this so hard to believe, he does 400+ first week every time he drops an album LOL! Its Hov LOL!


BklynRogue

@ iluvyellaboys

I cosign with the Belizean!! Now I would agree with you last year cuz there's no way in hell over 800,000 copies were bought by JUST consumers for Kingdom Come.

However, 400,000+ sounds right for American Gangster. HIP HOP IS ALIVE....4 the moment lol.


sweetluxury

i still say 50's CD is betta them all of 'em!


travieboo7

SO WHAT...HE ALBUM IS HOT...DAMN I SHOULD HAVE SHOWED MY MAN SOME LOVE AND WENT AND BOUGHT THE CD INSTEAD OF DOWNLOADING IT ON LIMEWIRE


bigbone

Congradulations Jay!! I love you sooo much!



iluvyellaboys

I love hip hop just as much as anyone else.....I just think his time is past! my dad used to play his cds back in the day.....and they were cool back in the day......today music has taken a turn some say for the worst.....that's to be determined, I just think J being older than my dad should chill with all the "I'm a hustler" stuff......I just sayn' it's just embarrassing!


DeeRay

I wish people would quit calling this man Hov.

Jesus is the one and only.


Rin246

His concerts only sellout in NY.

He is old news, there may only be 2 good songs on the whole album. They bought his sorry album.

I agree he needs to groom new artist cause he is old news, maybe guest star on a track or two.

Jayz & Nas album togerther the last one for both of them.


Nataine

I been checking Billboard dot com everyday this week hoping Chris placed number one and I was disappointed to see it was his ass. He needs to face the fact that his time is up, music has moved passed him, and his record label and die-hard fans buy his albums for the sells, not because he's any good anymore. Which is exactly why his singles stopped charting well a while ago.


JuiceBox

no surprise, with a mugg like that, It would be pretty hard to pick up the album.

i hope the above pic isnt his cd cover!


JuiceBox

DeeRay Flag post

I wish people would quit calling this man Hov.

Jesus is the one and only.

*************************************************

exactly!


HarlemsSweetest

Can we all please stop hating and appreciate that this man just made hip-hop history. There are not many people in the hip hop community that can be mentioned in the same sentence with Elvis. This helps to prove the legitimacy of hiphop to the world. By the way, what does Kanye or 50 sales have to do with anything.


w8keup

Come on ppl no way J beat out the Eagles not for real he is a fake and bought those damn albums himself he'll probably give them away at Christmas time in Marcy. He is not the king he is washed up. REAL NEWS PLEASE!


iluvyellaboys

seriously speaking, the race isn't the issue....I point is Jay Z is what.....about 40 right? and he's still rapping about things he's done since before I was alive.......and it's just plain pathetic....you mean to tell me there aren't any BLACK r&b artist who aren't on the charts? gimme a break....the rap genre is for the young period...as a matter of fact if your (being generous) 28 you should start looking for a career it can still be in music just not rapping plz....a grown man on stage with baggy jeans on talkin' about N this and N that..puh leeze! it looks so stupid, my dad is 32 and if he was up there doing that I would be so embarrassed!


BEAUTIFUL-ONE

HIS PEOPLE BOUGHT A MAJORITY OF HIS CD'S JUST LIKE THEY WERE CAUGHT DOING WITH THE LAST CD HE PUT OUT.


mizshawty

blahh


strawcream

@ Rin246

I agree.....

@ iluvyellaboys

I totally agree with you just some folks just do not get it..


missdannie

I agree, they just wanted to make it seem real this time by buying a little. Jay-z is a damm sell out someone needs to ask him when the last time he did something for brooklyn besides helping the downtown real-estate rise forgetting how many low income families is now hurting [EXPLETIVE] BIG LIP CAMEL FACED JERK


callicrew

that is laughable. such a shame. jayz needs to sit his ass down with the rappin. he is making a fool of himself. every cd is selling less and less and it just stupid to keep falling like that. i bet even with this many copies sold his label bought some. such a shame.


doggydogg

yeah that is because everybody had that album weeks ago



You_Know_Me

B/c it's time to hang it up.


truebahamian

I'm surprised he sold that many. I also expected Chris to sell more.

Anyway, I'm waiting for Alicia's numbers, cause my ass is definitely buying her cd.


truebahamian

BTW Jay's been a sell out long time. Singing about sh!t he knows nothing about. What a joke.


truebahamian

This might be off topic but, I am really impressed by Fergie this year. Everyone of her singles have been fire, and every week she's consistently selling.

Will.I.Am should stick to producing.


binary_star

God damn, yall!

The HATE flows abundant!


model_chic1

IM A GURL AND I DONT LISTEN TO RAP BUT JAY IS PLAYED OUT. I MEAN HE PROBABLY WAS IT AT ONE POINT BUT IT COMES A TIME WHEN WE HAVE TO HANG STUFF UP.

HANG IT UP JAY


MammaE

Jay Z ass brought a [EXPLETIVE] load of his album along with 50 cent and Kanye....This is the new millenium and honesty isn't the best way....hell more people download music illegally. Me personally the last time I brought a CD was back in 04 I'll go on Limewire and bareshare and download my [EXPLETIVE] because the albums that come out now only have maybe 3 song thats worth listening to and the other 9 songs are skits or some introlude bull sh*t .....


daboacena

Y'all can say watever y'all want about the man's looks but he a true genius on the mic and a wordsmith...bitches care about looks but I don't... Hov is making history while y'all keep hating on him...jst fall back cuz The Roc iz in da building!!! f/ucking haters!!!


smplbutcmpltd

Awww...I really wanted CB to be number 1!! Bt at least he sold more than what he did with his last album. (N when I looked at the pic of Jay I jumped...it scared the [EXPLETIVE] outta me!) haha


Kinsnspace

PEACE,THE ALBUM IS DOPE!

COME VIBE;MYSPACE.COM/KINSNSPACE, KIN CAMELL@IMEEM.COM


bo0gzz

how about 50 nd kanye were all HYPEE

neither would have dont those numbers w/o tha hypee kanyee had 80% decrease in saless datz a damn shameee even swizz beatz didnt evn drop 80% in saless

www.myspace.com/antbo0gz


stophatin129

Wow, to the lil' dude saying his pops is youner than Jay...that's cool, u just don't get it.i totally understand now..JAY IS REAL HIPHOP sweetie..U clearly do not understand how difficult it is to stay on top 4 so many years, sell out shows all over the world and have 10 number one cd's your entire career. he is owner of clothing lines, restuarants, the fuc*in' NETS!!!!! I am buggin cause u show no respect! It is ok to enjoy and have your own so called hiphop heros..thats ok, but to deny and disresect this mans career and act like it isn't what it clearly is shows your ignorance to accept the legacy in this mans FLAWLESS CAREER! I love 50, Kanye, Weezy and NAS..I actually love Luda and Outcast...They all bring different elements to the game....They have not gotton to Jays level..No one accidentally slips-up and is worth half a billion dollars....If he did buy his own cd's( WHICH IS INSANE) how did he get all those people to sell out his shows in seconds, not only in the U.S., but in countries like ROMANIA? Dag, they were even singing the lyrics word for word.So my point is this ...Before you jump out there and attack a legend have your sources, your history and back up your statements...saying he is old is so stupid.....is there an unwritten law in HIP HOP that your skill level drops after 30.? if this is the case than say bye to the industry cause they are all over 30 except Soldier Boy...Oh but that is your age group...right////Grow up, go get those 10 number 1 cd's and learn what HIP HOP really is! This man just made history son...EMBRASE IT! AND THE WINNER IS.....HOV!


drburke

History.


monalisa6643

TO BAD JAY Z BOUGHT THE FIRST 250 THOUSAND WITH HIS PUNK ARSE


UwesizzY

u aint c nuthin yet,wait till next week when he'l sell less than 100k..and even thogh he sold that large amount in first week,i gurantee the album wont reach platinum sales..



IMSOBROOKLYN

I was in Best Buy on Monday and they had like 4 shelves of American Gangster cds just sitting there. People don't buy cds anymore-I thought about it, but picked up the Eric B & Rakim masters for $9.99 instead lol


babybro_901

@ iluvyellaboys....

C'MON NOW.....JIGGA OLDER THAN UR POPS?? HE'S ONLY 37! SO...THAT WOULD MAKE YOU 12 OR 13??? LMBAO!!!! NOW I AM A HUGE JIGGA FAN....AND HE COULD HAVE KEPT KINGDOM COME! BUT AMERICAN GANGSTER IS AN INSTANT CLASSIC!!! YOU CAN HEAR THE ORIGINAL BLUEPRINT IN IT ALL OVER AGAIN!!!! REAL TALK......DONT HATE!! JIGGA HAS DONE SHYT THAT THESE RAPPERS DREAM ABOUT!!! I MEAN...HE EVEN DID A SONG WITH LIL WAYNE!!! I LOVE JIGGA'S MUSIC....BUT IN MY OPINION LIL WAYNE IS THA BEST RAPPER RIGHT NOW!!! SO WUT DOES THAT TELL YOU!!!!! *IN MY KATT WILLIAMS VOICE* DONT WORRY...I'LL WAIT!!! LMBAO!!! NO PUN INTENDED PIMP!!! AND FOR THA RECORD......SAY HELLO AND FALLEN ARE TIED FOR THA BEST TRACKS ON THA ALBUM...IN MY OPINION!!!!!


babybro_901

I ALMOST FORGOT....

@ stophatin129....

PREACH!!!!!!! THATS WUTS UP!!!! DO YA HOMEWQORK YUNGUN!!!!!!!!!!!!


blackgyr30

@babybro_901....

talk to em....

Its like this Jay raps for GROWN folks if u under 28 you prolly not gonna feel him he a grown azz man... and just because the nucca 37 dont mean he should stop rappin hell look at all the hot rock groups(rollin stones, eagles etc.) they still doin they thang..so hell you dont like him dont listen to his music trust where there is one of yall that dont like him 10 more will make up for that...CHUUUUCH!!!


deontaer

MY EYES! MY EYES!!!!


ecuasionz

Its a wrap for JAY

HE latched on to the most hyped film of the year and still flopped

Stop comparing this guy to Elvis They are not in the same league at all Elvis was a legend Jay is just a good MC who makes some decent business decisions

The ROC is THRU


c

THATS BLACK HISTORY RIGHT THERE HIP HOP HISTORY ALSO

HE IS STILL RELEVENT AT 37 C'MON MAN, WHEN TI OR LIL WAYNE ACCOMPLISH A FEAT LIKE THIS THAN YA'LL CAN TALK ABOUT THEM BEING GREATS, JAY IS GREAT! "OH HE SHOULD LET THESE OTHER RAPPERS SHINE" TELL THEM TO STEP THEY'RE ALBUMS UP, THEY ONLY HAVE A GOOD SONG OR 2 OR A COUPLE FREESTYLES, DONT GET MAD AT JAY FOR DOMINANTIN THE GAME FOR SO FUKKIN LONG LMAO!!! HE HAD NY AND THE RAP GAME DOWN SUMMER AFTER SUMMER AND NO OTHER RAPPER WILL EVER DO WHAT HE'S DONE, HE'S THE MIKE JORDAN OF RAP!!!


iluvyellaboys

@babybro_901....

fall back babybro_901, I'm 18 (as of Aug) and my pops is 32, so like I said Jay Z is older than my dad and he needs to sit his wanna be 20 y/o behind down! 37.....40 it's all the same to me!


iluvyellaboys

and like UwesizzY said, wait til next week when his sales drop another 200,000.........ya'll know dag on well, he bought his own albums!! wake up.....Jay's days are over!


Bruklyn

MTO - YA'LL ARE SO CLOSE TO BEING NONEXISTENT AND I CAN'T WAIT.

ON THE REAL, THIS ALBUM CAN'T BE COMPARED TO 50/KANYE. THEY HAD A GIMMICK THAT INVOLVED THE WORLD AND THAT'S HOW THEY GOT THOSE NUMBERS DURING THIS TIME OF DOWNLOADING.

JAY IS BEING GIVEN CREDIT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T F*CK WITH SITES LIKE THIS OR I-TUNES AND WAS STILL ABLE TO SELL HIS ALBUM AS A WHOLE. OF COURSE, IT WOULD'VE SOLD MORE IF NOT DOWNLOADED FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS, BUT IT STILL DID BETTER THAN MOST - ARTISTS ARE DOING 150K AND ARE ECSTATIC.

HE DID A GREAT THING DURING A TIME OF DOWNLOADING AND STILL CAME OUT TO BE THE TOP MAN. L.A. REID GAVE A BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT ABOUT JAY WHICH IS WHAT YOU SHOULD'VE POSTED.

CONGRATS TO HOV! HE KILLED HAMMERSTEIN AND THE APOLLO (BEYONCE DANCED THE WHOLE TIME). HE'S DEFINITELY THE GREATESTER RAPPER ALIVE - WEEZY DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY THAT - WE ALREADY KNEW IT.

AMERICAN GANGSTER IS A CLASSIC ALBUM WITH LYRICS FOR YO A$$!!!


Bruklyn

AND FOR ALL THE HATERS THAT ARE COMMENTING -

SPEAK WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT. JAY'S BEEN THE TOP MAN FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS THAT'S WHY HE'S HATED ON. YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER HASN'T DEBUTED @ #1 AS MANY TIMES AS HIM, NOR CAN THEY RAP BETTER THAN HIM, NOR WILL THEY SAY THEY'RE BETTER THAN HIM THEMSELVES.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY YOUNGIN'S THAT ARE SPEWING THE HATE, BUT DO YOUR HISTORY FIRST AND SEE WHY HE'S THAT DUDE, WHY OTHER RAPPERS AND B-BALL PLAYERS AND JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER MAN WANTS TO BE HIM.

JAY IS THE REAL DEAL. THE LYRICS ON AG ARE NOT TO BE F*CKED WITH.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND THEN HOLLA. WE CAN WAIT FOR THE APOLOGY.


SthrnMsCiara

My Man! Lmao Sorry not to dick ride which I aint it's just truth download the album, buy the album WHATEVER That album is the [EXPLETIVE] I actually was listening to it EXPECTING it to be dissapointing because of what folks like yall been sayin and I was so shocked from begginin to the end that album is fiyahhhhh!

Listen to it b4 u doubt it. I love the real instruments not all that computerized [EXPLETIVE]. I love the lyrics love the flow everything about that album is perfect. Hatas gone hate but fuckya cause jigga man is da shitttt and he AINT gone sell hella albums cause nobody buy albums no more anyway I admit I downloaded it b4 I bought it but I got the album same day. I like to support good artists and buy the cd's but nothin wrong with downloadin em first and makin sure u get ya monies worth!

ANYWAY lovin jigga man dis time around LOVE the album!! SPEECH! and BLACKGYR30... IM UNDER 28 I'm a 21 year old female and I know great hip hop when I hear it and REAL music. This new generation want bubble gum & catchy lyrics sound box singin and computer beats. Switch ya style up ppl expand ur horizons! OH BTW CHRIS BROWNS ALBUM IS NICE TOO! I bought it also =)


daboacena

50 cent had a 81% sales drop and Kanye had 79% after their first week...we'll c how Jiggaman does on his 2nd week...I can picture Jay sellin out concerts when he's 60 jst like the Rolling Stones... p.s. If 433 00 is a flop then wat is Cassidy's 60 000 units?


Shantoria18

Jay-Z is so ulgy but people have the nerves to try to talk about 50 now come on dude get serious Jay-Z look like a big lip fool he is ulgy damn damn damn damn people can't talk about 50 i'm sorry because that's nasty look at the lips you can tell he satisfy Beyonce with them big nasty lips LMAO LOL


MikeStrott

This album is HOT! Go buy it... as a matter of fact all the REAL HUSTLAZ and REAL GANGSTAZ have it.

[link to external website removed]



crazyass

So how does it feel now MTO when you put so many stories about him not being able to sell this cd? Does #1 in the country mean anything to you? Will you apologize for spreading lies? Yeah right!!!


Missmedia81

Is there a real demand to hear Jay Z? I loved reasonable doubt I haven't bought a Jay Z album since the black album and that was not all that good. Is he still in or is he rolling off of hype??? He is the president of the company can't he just ship out a lot of copies of his own record. LOL


BlackIce

COUNSELOR!!@ Bruklyn Thank you!!

Thank you for saying what I don't have the time nor energy to say! Please enlighten the musically challenged!

American Gangster is an incredible body of work! This conclusion has nothing to do with being bias or a "stan". The proof is on that disc. Incredible!

True music connoisseurs have the abliity to appreciate good music regardless to personal feelings about an artists character and aren't swayed by others opinions.

(...and) If you consider selling over 400,000 sales in the 1st week in a period which could be losely referred to as a record industry depression a flop. Something is serously wrong with your processing. If any artist during this era sells anything over 150,000 albums in the first couple of weeks, they'd consider themselves extremely lucky! 50 and Kanye sold what they sold because of the competitive marketing strategy. Please do more research before making such foolish statmenets.

American Gangster is impeccable!


B-Deezy

Shout out to stophatin 129, I totally agree with your comment, These baby boppers nowadays just don't get this thing called hip hip...all they can do is rag on Jay's age, yet even while pushing 40 he still is better than the majority of rappers in the game, and always comes with quality music...it takes a special type of artist to have this type of longevity in the rap game with this type of success, lets see how long these current hip hop artist getting a little 106 & park luv, doing club music with no substance stay around...Jay's success is due to the fact that he makes music with substance that still bangs in the club{roc boys}...so please stop hatin, and recognize a real hip hop icon continuing to bless us with fire..."American Gangster" another classic, nuff said.


tanika1

I have to agree with Stophatin129. The kid who said his father is 32 don't have a clue. Jay paved the way for the BS that you think is Hip Hop. Not saying that he is the only artist that got the ball rolling on Hip Hop but he is one. And let me guess iluvyellaboys favorite artist is "Soljah Boy". EEEEEEWWWWWWWWW. LOL


STAYPOPPIN01

@iluvyellowboyz

Where is a rule book when you should retire at a certain age. Hip hop is about dropping knowledge you don't have much of that yet.

You should be estatic you can listen to game from someone his age.

This song I'm recomending you listen to is not the original one but someone labled it original, but it is the second version.

Go to youtube and click on rock the bells (original) LL was 16 and compare it with how 16 yr. olds rap today. (no comparison)

It's raw, true, pure hip hop!


mymei

That pic scared the mess out of me lol!!

Anyway, that is because people are getting tired of him. Let alone people are tired of his woman. They are just two tired people who need to go sit down somewhere. I was never crazy about him to begin with sorry I am an individual and I like whatever and whoever I choose. Maybe a couple of songs here and there. People were on his jock strap lol.

I don't listen to Hip Hop anymore anyway. The "Hip Hop" music that is out today is garbage.

And yes Dee Ray, I find it hugely annoying that people are calling this man Hov. Its really stupid.

And you know there is always going to be a bunch of idiots in the crowd calling people haters because people don't agree with them. People want to argue because someone isn't a d*ck ridder like they are. Folks like who they want to like. Not who YOU want them to like. Just because you like someone (who doesn't give to loads of crap about you) doesn't mean the entire Universe has to like them too. Damn, so many people with the minds of a children. You expect children to go crazy when someone doesn't agree with them. They don't know better but grown people. Shows a lot about their home training.

Leave the industry before it leaves you.

To the people who are getting all defensive. JAY Z DOOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOU. AT ALL. NOT ONE BIT. HE DOESN'T WANT TO CARE ABOUT YOU. CHILL OUT!!


MR. Knowitall

Thank God for Jay-z and His Music, I have no Idea what is going on with music and alot of these new artist but they can't tell stories through rap, no metaphors, no truth behind their words, Drake & J-cole, are great new rap artist but besides them no new mainstream artist deserve studio time