We conclude this month’s Chart Check with some startling details on who scored the No. 1 R&B album on the Billboard R&B Albums chart. We unveil which new soul artist has notched a top five album and single on the Billboard charts. We uncover which R&B veteran who scored yet another top five R&B single on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs. Also, we update Usher fans on the lackluster success of his new single “Good Kisser” on the Billboard Hot 100.
Dates Range: June 19 — June 26 (Billboard)
After his debut album “In The Lonely Hour” opened at No. 1 on the UK Album charts earlier this month, Sam Smith’s first offering slides into the No. 2 position in United States in its first week. While the British crooner’s soul album sold 102,000 copies in the UK, Smith’s first release collected 165,966 album copies in the U.S. According to Billboard, his first week sales became the largest opening numbers for a solo artist’s debut album since November 2012.
Michael Jackson’s and Mali Music’s album reside in the top 20 of the Billboard 200 this week. Jackson’s “Xscape” album pushed 15,434 units last week, which in turn helps his post-death effort secure the No. 17 position. Meanwhile, soul singer Mali Music released his major debut album “Mali Is…” last week. The 12-track set sold around 17-18k in its first week, according to Hits Daily Double.
Without much promotion, the “Think Like A Man” soundtrack by Mary J. Blige debuts at No. 30 after an embarrassing 8,668 album copies in its first week.
Two positions behind Blige’s new project stands Pharrell’s album “G I R L”. With 8,157 copies sold last week, the hit-maker’s second album totals 444,503 physical and digital copies sold to date.
John Legend’s album “Love in the Future” continues to sell — not much — but still sells. Landing at No. 36 (last week: No. 41) this week, the exceptional singer’s fourth studio effort tallied 7,453 copies sold. His full-length project sales equal 545,938 since September 2013.
Here is a list of other R&B albums in the top 100 on the Billboard 200 chart
Jason Derulo – “Talk Dirty” – No. 40 (last week: No. 35)
Mariah Carey – “Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse” -No. 46 (No. 43)
Beyoncé – “Beyoncé” – No. 82 (last week: No. 88)
Justin Timberlake – “The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2” – No. 83 (last week: No. 66)
Ariana Grande – “Yours Truly” – No. 97 (last week: No. 97)
Jhené Aiko – “Sail Out” EP – No. 100 (last week: No. 95)
Sam Smith is on a roll in the U.S. After scoring a top five album on the Billboard 200 with “In The Lonely Hour,” the British artist’s single “Stay With Me” becomes a top five record after climbing five spots from No. 10.
In its eighth week, “Wiggle” by Jason Derulo backslides one spot to No. 6 after peaking No. 5 since its entrance. Derulo’s 2 Chainz assisted hit-single “Talk Dirty” falls from No. 15 to No. 18. The “Marry Me” singer’s third Hot 100 entry “Trumpets” slips from No. 57 to No. 61.
The hype behind Pharrell’s single “Happy” has seemed to fade out. His single now stands at No.10 after (last week: No. 8). The global superstar’s second Hot 100 entry “Come Get It Bae” rests at No. 80 for another week.
“Not A Bad Thing” by Justin Timberlake decreases three positions to No.16. The song has peaked at No. 8 after 17 weeks on the chart.
Usher’s new single “Good Kisser” just hasn’t captured the ears of listeners on top 40 radio yet. The Pop & Oak produced track dips from No. 66 (peak) to No. No. 74 in its seventh week.
Here’s a list of other R&B songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
Ariana Grande – “Problem” featuring Iggy Azalea – No. 2 (fifth week at No. 2)
John Legend – “All of Me” – No. 7 (last week: No. 4; peak: No. 1)
Chris Brown – “Loyal” – No. 21 (last week: No. 21; peak: 9)
Trey Songz – “Na Na” – No. 30 (last week: No. 31; peak: No. 22)
Michael Jackson – “Love Never Felt So Good” – No. 36 (last week: No. 33; peak: 9)
Tinashe – “2 On” featuring ScHoolBoy Q – No. 57 (last week: No. 44; peak: No. 44)
Jhené Aiko – “The Worst” – No. 79 (last week: No. 68; peak: 43)
After spending 13 weeks atop the chart, Pharrell’s feel-good single “Happy” gets overthrown to No. 2 by Michael Jackson’s Justin Timberlake assisted-track “Love Never Felt So Good.”
Kelly Price’s “It’s My Time” remains at No. 4 for another week.
Congratulations are in order for Joe. His smooth duet “Love & Sex (Part 2)” featuring Kelly Rowland enters the top five at No. 5 this week. Meanwhile, Robin Thicke’s remorseful tune “Get Her Back” remains at No. 7 for a second week. Meanwhile, Tank’s “You’re My Star” rises from No. 9 to No. 8.
In its fifth week, Usher’s “Good Kisser” eyes the top ten of the Adult R&B Songs chart at No. 11. Riding on the “OMG” artist’s bumper is Kem’s infectious love song “It’s You” at No. 12 (last week: No. 13).
Trey Songz’ latest adult contemporary radio single “What’s Best For You” moves up three spots to No. 15 in week three.
“Run” by Marsha Ambrosius runs to the No. 16 position after spending last week at No. 19.
Sam Smith’s warm ballad “Stay With Me” hops one spot into the top 20 in its seventh week.
Here is a list of other songs on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart
John Legend – “All of Me” – No. 3 (last week: No. 3)
Jhené Aiko – “The Worst” – No. 6 (last week: No. 5)
Shaliek – “Ain’t Supposed To Cry” – No. 13 (last week: No. 10; peak: No. 8)
Ledisi – “Like This” – No. 17 (last week: No. 17)
John Legend – “You & I (Nobody in the World)” – No. 18 (last week: No. 15)
After eight weeks on the chart, Jason Derulo’s Snoop Dogg assisted single “Wiggle” makes it to No. 3 point.
Tinashe makes her presence known this week on the Rhythmic Songs chart. Her single “2 On” featuring ScHoolBoy Q bounces three spots into the top five where it lands at No. 4. This feat knocks Justin Timberlake’s “Not A Bad Thing” from the No. 4 position to No. 7.
This week, “Good Kisser” by Usher puckers up one spot to No. 14. Meanwhile, Pharrell’s bubbling new song “Come Get It Bae” increases two positions to No. 18 in its fifth week.
After debuting at No. 35 last week, Jeremih’s “Don’t Tell ‘Em” featuring YG floats to No. 27.
Here is a list of other songs on the Billboard Rhythmic Songs chart
Ariana Grande – “Problem” featuring Iggy Azalea – No. 2 (third week at No. 2)
Trey Songz – “Na Na” – No. 8 (last week: No. 6; peak: No. 1)
Chris Brown – “Loyal” – No. 12 (last week: No. 9; peak: No. 1)
Beyoncé – “Partition” – No. 24 (last week: No. 21; peak: No. 7)
In its respective order, here are the top five R&B albums among R&B acts.
1. Jennifer Lopez – A.K.A (Hot Debut)
2. Mali Music – “Mali Is…” (Debut)
3. Michael Jackson – “Xscape”
4. Mary J. Blige – “Think Like A Man Too” Soundtrack (Debut)
5. Pharrell – “G I R L”
Here is a list of other R&B albums on the Billboard R&B Albums chart
Mariah Carey – “Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse” – No. 7 (last week: No. 4)
Jhené Aiko – “Sail Out” EP – No. 10 (last week: No. 7)
Aloe Blacc – “Lift Your Spirit” – No. 13 (last week: No. 9)
Kelly Price – “Sing/Pray/Love/ Vol. 1: Sing” – No. 19 (last week: No. 12)
Kindred the Family Soul – “A ‘Couple’ Friends – No. 24 (last week: No. 11 – debut)
Keke Wyatt – “Ke’Ke” EP – No. 25 (last week: No. 16)