What is going on this week? By now the whole world has seen and commented on Kanye’s impromptu speech at the MTV video music awards followed by his many apologies. We’ve also seen Lil’ Mama apologize for her apparent lapse in judgment for dimming a bright performance by Jay-Z. (Speaking of judging and Lil Mama….how did she get a job judging anything? Shouldn’t you get a hit album or be successful at something before people start to respect your opinion as a veteran in this industry?). Serena flipped out John McEnroe style on an official. People are saying that Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player ever, was rude at his hall of fame acceptance. All of this news in black entertainment can only lead to one thing…trouble for Obama. Can ya’ll give the man a week off. Please quit asking this dude questions about unimportant stuff. C’mon. Let’s get to the charts…it was a good week for Hip Hop.We’re going to try a little something different this week and work or way from ten to one. At the number ten spot is Michael Jackson with his compilation album Number Ones.
This week The Beatles rereleased all of their albums and managed to claim a good portion of the countdown. The fab four managed to claim four spots with Rubber Soul at number nine, The White Album at number seven, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonley Hearts Club at number six, and Abbey Road at number three.
Country music duo Brooks & Dunn claim the number eight spot with their greatest hits collection #1s & Then Some.
Then we finally get to some Hip Hop. Raekwon sells 65,000 copies of his latest album, Only Built for Cuban Linx II, and claims the number five spot.
In the number four spot is Whitney Houston whose new album, I Look To You, falls a bit but still continues to sell.
At the number two spot is future tabloid headliner Miley Cyrus with her latest album, Time of our Lives.
And finally…at the number one spot…selling 465,000 copies of his latest studio album, The Blueprint 3…Jay Z! The self-proclaimed King of New York takes the top spot outselling the number two album by well over 300,000 copies. It’s good to see both Jay-Z and Raekwon do numbers and claim their place on the countdown. Hopefully fans will be able to keep the two artists on the list for next week.
Beyond the top ten The Black Eyed Peas claim the number 12 spot by selling 44,000 copies of their latest studio album, The E.N.D. Also, Fabolous and Eminem are, once again, neck and neck with the Brooklyn MC selling 14,000 copies of Loso’s Way to claim the number 46 spot, and the 8 Mile native claiming the 47th spot with his album Relapse.
Dropping This Week
First up in “Dropping” is a greatest hits/Best of album by Big Pun titled The Legacy: The Best of Big Pun. Pun passed away a little over a decade ago but still has a lasting impact on Hip Hop. If you haven’t had the opportunity to listen to him, or you are just feeling nostalgic, pick up this latest compilation.
Kanye West protégé and perpetual stoner Kid Cudi releases his debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day. He was making a lot of noise with Kanye and his G.O.O.D Music label and then appeared to disappear. Then he came back with the new song sampling Lady Gaga and is now dropping the album. The new disc is not very feature heavy but does have Kanye, Common, and Chip tha Ripper.
KRS One and Buckshot team up to release the album Survival Skills. It’s KRS One and Buckshot so you know it will be right lyrically. Thos tat are always complaining about there not being enough “real” Hip Hop out there should not let this one slip through your fingers. The album features Mary J. Blige, Talib Kweli, Smif ‘n Wessun, Immortal Technique, Slug of Atmosphere, Bounty Killer, K’Naan and a few more. Pick it up.
From Louisiana comes down south rapper Lil Boosie. Boosie drops his latest album, Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz, with features from Young Jeezy, Trina, Lil Phat, and Mouse to name a few. It’s Lil Boosie. Fans know what to expect from him as an artist and should be ready to go out and pick this one up.
Next up is the Mash Out Posse. M.O.P drops their latest album, Foundation, with features from Styles P and Redman and production from DJ Premier and Green Lantern. After being signed with Roc-A-Fella and G-Unit it’s good to see the group back putting out albums. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to a full album from the group then now is your opportunity to see what you’ve been missing.
They may get hated on but the next group is making music for the next generation of Hip Hop. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. West coast duo, The New Boyz, drop their debut album Skinny Jeanz & A Mic. The album features Ray-J and Tyga and hopes to capitalize off of the success of the hit single “You’re A Jerk.” Hate them or love them…they’re dropping an album.
The next album was supposed to drop in 2001. Since then I know at least 4 people that say they own it which is funny because it is now finally being “officially” released in 2009. Q-Tip release his eight year delayed album, Kamaal the Abstract. Now this s nt like the first two albums Q-Tip released so don’t pick this up expecting to her “Vivrant Thing part II.” If you like Q-Tip pick it up.
Last, but not least, is a rapper we haven’t heard from in a while. Trick Daddy releases Finally Famous: Born A Thug, Still A Thug, an album he has spent the last two years recording. It’s Trick Daddy. He loves the kids so return the favor and pick up and album. Plus it has one of those…ummmm….interesting…yeah interesting album covers that I like so much.
That’s essentially the charts for Hip Hop this week. We have a couple of artist on the countdown and a few promising artists dropping new material. If you’re a fan of Hip Hop go hit a store and pick up an album or two.