The following album positions come from the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums with an emphasis on the Billboard 200.
Both Mariah Carey and Gwen Stefani reasserted their divahood with Mariah’s The Emancipation of Mimi returning to no. 1 and Gwen’s Love. Angel. Music. Baby. returning to no. 5. Though neither is a hip hop act, both have benefited from hip hop influences and connections over the years, with Mariah shedding her squeaky clean image and Gwen transcending her rock star roots to join the pop sisterhood. Though Gwen won’t be tracked on Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums, Mariah’s no. 1 there, as well.
In its second week in the Billboard 200, Common’s Be slid to no. 6 from no. 2 and also moved down a spot from no. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums to no. 2. Though Common won’t have the staying power of 50 Cent, who’s made history, he’s done very well without having to wear a bulletproof vest. 50′s now been in the charts for 14 weeks and has risen to no. 8 in the 200 and no. 6 in Top R&B/Hip Hop.
The Longest Yard soundtrack has risen to no. 11 from no. 22 in its second week in the 200 and to no. 10 from no. 13 in Top R&B/Hip Hop. Mike Jones’ Who Is Mike Jones? also rose from no. 24 to no. 16 in the 200 and from no. 8 to no. 4 in Top R&B/Hip Hop. That’s seven strong weeks for Mr. Jones.
The Gorillaz’ Demon Days dropped from no. 6 to no. 14 in the 200 while Ciara’s Goodies stands at no. 19 in the 200 and no. 14 in the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums in her 36 week run.
Other hip hop albums in the Billboard 200 include Akon’s Trouble at no. 25 after forty-nine (!) weeks. Cowboy Troy’s Loco Motive is at no. 34 and at no. 5 on the Billboard Country Album Chart. After three weeks, Cowboy Troy is looking like less of a novelty act, but sceptics like me remain, well sceptical. Will Smith’s Lost and Found is at no. 35, The Game’s The Documentary is at no. 41, B.G’s The Heart of Tha Streetz is at no. 45 and rap/rockers Kottonmouth Kings enter the 200 at no. 50 with Kottonmouth Kings.
