The Numbers Game: Drake Is #1

By now I’m sure you’ve heard that Drake did particular well sales for his debut album Thank Me Later. He sold 447,300 copies and grabbed the #1 spot on the charts. The actual numbers he pushed speaks for themselves but I do have a one question: Will Drizzy be the last new rapper to debut with these kinds of numbers? Think about it? Congrats to Drake still. [Read H20’s review of Drake – Thank Me Later]

Thank Me Later wasn’t the only album released last week. Nappy Roots released their 4th album, The Pursuit Of Nappyness. Times has changed when this group was collecting Gold & Platinum plaques; they sold a little under 2,000 copies. They are independent, but still.

Pastor Troy also released his album Attitude Adjuster 2. He sold a little under 800 album. “Nigga, just sell that shit out of your car” (c) King Jerm. Actually, it’s no disrespect to any indie artist; the music game has changed though. Album sales is basically an advertisement for your live show

Other Thoughts:
For next week, Eminem’s Recovery is projected to sell 590-615k making it the highest seller this year. Speaking of Em, did you notice Relapse moving back in the Top 50?

#1 Drake/Thank Me Later (Last Week: NA) – 447,300; Total: NA [Debut]
#13 Usher/Raymond v. Raymond (Last Week: #12) – 29,300; Total: 850,400 (Gold) [12 Weeks]
#17 B.o.B/B.o.B Presents: The Adventures Of Bobby Ray (Last Week: #21) – 19,800; Total: 249,000 [8 Weeks]
#18 Plies/Goon Affiliated (Last Week: #5) – 19,800; Total: 76,500 [2 Weeks]
#19 The Black Eyed Peas/The E.N.D. (Last Week: #15) – 19,100; Total: 2,609,000 (2X Platinum) [54 Weeks]
#36 Alicia Keys/The Element Of Freedom (Last Week: #35) – 11,900; Total: 1,329,300 (Platinum) [27 Weeks]
#38 Nas & Damian Marley/Distant Relatives (Last Week: #31) – 11,400; Total: 124,600 [5 Weeks]
#40 Ludacris/Battle Of The Sexes (Last Week: #42) – 10,500; Total: 462,200 [15 Weeks]
#49 Eminem/Relapse (Last Week: #60) – 8,700; Total: 1,978,000 (Platinum) [57 Weeks]
#NA Nappy Roots/Pursuit Of Nappyness (Last Week: NA) – 1,822; Total: NA [Debut]
#NA Pastor Troy/Attitude Adjuster 2 (Last Week: NA) – 796; Total: NA [Debut]

Founder
  1. That shows the difference of buzz vs no buzz.Drake sold 450 k in one week,that’s like what double of what b.o.b. Sold in 8 weeks. Em might get double platinum round the same time recovery goes gold…that’s success

  2. We know that Hip Hop fans bootleg more than any other genre. So the way to make albums move is to get exposure the segment of fans that actually buy albums. The way to do that is flat out publicity. Drake has been in Hip Hops face since So Far Gone (Comeback Season is when he was really on the underground scene radar). He’s been at award concerts, video appearances, interviews, all over the Internet….he’s essentially the blueprint of how to market your skills (debate those if you want). The music game is changed. You need to either drop some mixtapes and/or get out there. Until you put together a body of work where you can sell with one single, you need to bleed over all media until your album drops. I’m looking squarely at Nappy Roots and Pastor Troy, Drake’s sales are a huge success imo, Eminims sales are a FANTASTIC success (when official).

    Meanwhile, folks are championing the shit outta Distant Relatives….but they not buying that shit. Since it was announced that it was in the works, folks been going hamsammich about this Distant Relatives CD. I haven’t seen any media buzz about this album at all. I realize it was an album for the people, but you are selling it to the same people. Put some hustle behind that. Singles, videos, appearances, etc. Simply put, it’s not enough to be “good or even great” anymore. You have to market yourself like you aren’t good. Hustle like you have no talent. Everyone wants to be the next big thing, nobody wants to be the best no one has ever heard.

    Jay Z won like a muh’fucka. lol

    1. “nobody wants to be the best no one has ever heard”
      aint that the truth

      “hustle like I still pay rent man” © Wayne

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