In this week’s installment of Chart Check, find out how K.Michelle’s debut album, “Rebellious Soul,” outsold several female R&B singers’ opening numbers, why Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” remains in the Top 5 of Billboard 200 and how other R&B acts are doing on the Billboard and radio charts. The dates in this post range from August 15-22 (Billboard) and August 18-24 (radio).
Billboard 200
From two-seasons of “Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta,” to having the No.2 album in the country, K.Michelle has finally made it. Her debut offering “Rebellious Soul.” debuted No.2 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling 71,627 copies.
No shade but let’s take a trip down first-week sales lane and see how K.Michelle’s opening numbers compare to her female R&B counterparts.
- Monica – “New Life” – 69,000
- Kelly Rowland – “Talk A Good Game” 68,000
- Ciara – “Ciara” – 59,000
- Ashanti – “Braveheart” [Still unreleased]
Get the picture.
Moving on, Robin Thicke stands firm in the Top 5 with “Blurred Lines.” This week, the album lands at No.4, selling sold 48,280. Since its release, “Blurred Lines” has sold 290,552.
Justin Timberlake remains in the Top 20 (No.17) with “The 20/20 Experience.” The album sold 14,972 this week, totaling 2,166,016 since its debut in March 2013.
Billboard Hot 100
Despite the recent lawsuit surrounding Robin Thicke’s hit single, “Blurred Lines” the song continues to soar on the charts. It spends its 11th consecutive-week at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Chris Brown’s Nicki Minaj assisted single, “Love More” re-fuels and travels back up the road of the Billboard Hot 100 from No.90 to No.73.
Fantasia and her fierce industry sisters Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott re-enters the Billboard Hot 100 at No.100 with their summer hit “Without Me.” The Harmony Samuels-produced tune peaked and debuted No.74 prior to re-entry.
Billboard R&B Albums
In their respective order, here is the Top 5 R&B Albums Among R&B Acts:
1. K.Michelle – “Rebellious Soul” [Hot Debut]
2. Robin Thicke – “Blurred Lines”
3. Justin Timberlake – “The 20/20 Experience”
4. Ciara – “Ciara”
5. Kelly Rowland – “Talk A Good Game”
Other notable R&B albums rises/falls
- Fantasia – “Side Effects of You” (This week:8) (Last week:10)
- Emeli Sande – “Our Versions of Events” (This week:10) (Last week:11)
- Ron Isley – ” (This week:11) (Last week:9)
Billboard R&B Songs
Robin Thicke remains atop the Billboard R&B Songs chart with “Blurred Lines,” while Ciara remains at No.3 with “Body Party” and Justin Timberlake at No.4 with “Take Back The Night.”
After four weeks, Chris Brown’s latest “X” single “Love More,” rises from No.9-to-No.6 this week. With the accompanying visuals now available, the club banger’s has the potential to overthrow its peak position (No.5) in the coming weeks.
Fantasia is determined to stay in the Top 10 of the R&B songs chart. Her second single “Without Me” is back at No.10 this week after being No.11 last week. Its highest peak position is No.9 since its entry.
K.Michelle’s lead single “V.S.O.P” heads to the Top 10 as it leaped from No.17-to-No.11 this week. The Pop & Oak produced track has been on the charts for seven weeks thus far.
Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
Robin Thicke dominates the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart with “Blurred Lines,” while Miguel continues to move up with “How Many Drinks.” The single has been on the chart for 23 weeks and now peaks at No.3.
Fantasia remains un-bothered as her ladies jam “Without Me” remains at No.7 this week, along with “The One” by Tamar Braxton stays at No.9 this week.
New Orleans crooner August Alsina eyes the Top 20 with his Trinidad Jame$ assisted-tune “I Luv This Shit.” The song moved from No.26-to-No.21 this week.
Urban Radio
August Alsina’s “I Luv This Shit” continues to break some grounds on Urban radio. The singer has managed to move through the Top 20 and now lands at No.12 this week. It gained +44 new radio spins to close the week, totaling 2,179 since its entry. The single could enter the Top 10 next week if it remains on the straight and narrow.
K.Michelle loves proving the naysayers wrong. Last week, her debut single “V.S.O.P.” stood at No.22. Now this week, the Pop & Oak produced tune peaks at No.18 with over 1,665 radio spins since its entry.
It looks like Mario comeback engine has blown a head gasket. The first single “Somebody Else” lifted from his upcoming album loses 75 radio spins and falls to No.25 this week. However, the song has peaked No.15 on the Urban radio charts.
Urban AC Radio
Tamar Braxton closes the week on a high note. Her second single “The One” from her forthcoming album “Love & War” with the most new spins (42 radio spins), peaking at No.3 on Urban AC radio. The single has spun over 1,745 since its entry.
The “#SheWon” songstress latest offering “All The Way Home” entered the radio charts three days ago and has already spun 95 radio spins, making it a Top 40 hit.
Her older sister, Toni Braxton and BabyFace follow-up with the most new spins (38 radio spins) with their comeback duet “Hurt You.” The single has only been on the charts four days and has managed to become a Top 20 hit and garner 306 radio spins.
R&B crooner Donell Jones follow-up single “Beautiful” would have tied with the “Un-Break My Heart” diva if it gained one more new radio spin. However, the song has 37 new radio spins to close the week, peaking at No.24 with a grand total of 205 radio spins since its entry.
Other notable positions/entries
- Robin Thicke – “4 The Rest of My Life” (No.8) (24 new radio spins = 1051)
- Joe ft. Fantasia – “Love & Sex” (No.40 after three days of entry)
- Marques Houston – “The Way Love Is” [Debut: No.49]
