Musiq Soulchild
Photo: Atlantic

When it comes to predicting which artist will end up topping Billboard's albums sales chart, some weeks are easier than others.

Many were counting on urban crooner Lloyd to mop the floor with the competition last week, and thought him a lock for a #1 debut. But Philadelphia-born R&B artist Musiq Soulchild came out of nowhere with his latest, Luvanmusiq, and just narrowly edged Lloyd out of contention, by a margin of fewer than 5,000 scans.

Luvanmusiq — which sold 149,000 copies — becomes Musiq Soulchild's second studio effort to open in Billboard's #1 spot; his 2002 LP Juslisen was the first, selling more than 260,000 units.

Lloyd's Street Love finished a close second, selling 144,000, according to the latest SoundScan figures. At #3 is another new release, rapper Rich Boy's self-titled LP, which generated close to 112,000 scans its first week in stores.

In all, there were six newcomers to the latest top 10, including Neil Young's Live at Massey Hall 1971 at #6 with 57,000 sold, and British songstress Amy Winehouse's Back to Black at #7, selling 51,000 copies. Bowing at #8 is 8Ball & MJG's Ridin' High, which netted 50,000 scans.

Meanwhile, six other new releases made the top 200, including James Morrison's Undiscovered, which opens at #24, with close to 24,000 sold. Type O Negative's Dead Again follows at #27, with sales topping 22,000.

The Fratellis' Costello Music debuts at #48 with 15,000 sales, while Aqualung's Memory Man takes the #88 slot with 9,000 scans. Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration, a double-disc, 50-track celebration of the birth of Stax Records — featuring tracks by the Mar-Keys, Booker T. & the MGs, and Otis Redding — enters the chart at #120, selling 7,000 copies.

Daughtry, the debut disc from "American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry's rock band, leads the pack of chart veterans, dropping one spot to #4 with nearly 80,000 copies sold. Akon's Konvicted, which racked up 71,000-plus scans, follows at #5. Fall Out Boy's Infinity on High finishes out the week at #9, selling 43,000 units, and Carrie Underwood's Some Hearts returns to the top 10 at #10, with 42,000 copies sold.

Last week's #1, Notorious B.I.G.'s Greatest Hits, suffered the typical second-week slump, with sales skidding 61 percent, dropping the disc to #15 on the chart with close to 39,000 copies sold. Similarly, the Arcade Fire's Neon Bible, which debuted at #2 on the previous week's chart, slips to #18 thanks to a 60 percent sales dip; the disc sold fewer than 37,000 units its second week in stores.

• Musiq Soulchild
• Lloyd
• Rich Boy
• Akon
• Neil Young

Lloyd's <I>Street Love</I>
Photo: Motown

"Beware the ides of March," Titus once told Julius Caesar. The Roman leader disregarded the warning — and was fatally stabbed by conspirator Brutus a few days later. Harsh. While we're hoping a similar fate doesn't befall any of the artists putting out new releases this week, in the interest of friendly competition, we've paired them off as rivals. No conniving!

Lloyd's Street Love and Musiq Soulchild's Luvanmusiq - Lloyd got some assistance from Lil Wayne, Ashanti and Ja Rule on his 2004 debut, Southside. Weezy's back to give the Atlanta R&B crooner another leg up — this time on "You" — and Nas is also climbing into the action with a spot on the album-closing remix of "I Want You." Another singer, Philadelphia's Musiq, flies totally solo on his fourth effort, which he's hoping will follow in the platinum and gold tradition of his albums past. His first item for Atlantic features "Buddy," "Today" and "Ridiculous."

Rich Boy's Rich Boy and 8Ball and MJG's Ridin High - Atlanta's Rich Boy tapped a wealth of friends for his debut: Nelly; Outkast's Andre 3000 and Big Boi, who guest on separate tracks; Jim Jones; Pastor Troy; Polow Da Don; David Banner; and even John Legend, who performs on "Ghetto Rich." Another Southern rap act, Memphis' 8Ball and MJG, are seeing stars too — their seventh outing is underscored with guest appearances by Diddy, Three 6 Mafia, Yung Joc, Juvenile, Killer Mike, 112's Slim and Notorious B.I.G.

Various artists' Radio Disney Jams 9 and Girl Authority's Road Trip - On what CD can Rascal Flatts cozy up to Gwen Stefani and Weezer? Why, on a Radio Disney Jams comp, of course — this week's installment of the popular kids' series also calls on Hilary Duff, Jesse McCartney, Daniel Powter and the cast of "High School Musical" to kick out the jams. An accompanying DVD features five clips, most notably of Hannah Montana, the Cheetah Girls and Aly & AJ. Girl Authority's new one also comes with a video disc, furthering the collection of family-friendly tunes ("The Loco-Motion," "We Are Family," etc.) as sung by nine girls. Sprinkled among the cover songs are a few new tracks written specifically for Girl Authority by none other than Vince Clarke (Erasure, Depeche Mode) and Tanya Donelly (Breeders, Throwing Muses).

The Fratellis' Costello Music and the Sterns' Sinners Stick Together - You Hear It First-ers Jon, Barry and Mince Fratelli hail from Scotland — and met while working at a carnival! — but recorded their first release in Los Angeles with Beck buddy Tony Hoffer. The Brit Award winners' LP has already charted high in their homeland, on the strength of songs like "Everybody Knows You Cried Last Night," "Got Ma Nuts From a Hippy" and "Henrietta." While all three Fratellis share that last name, only two of the four members of another act have their band's name on their driver's licenses. The Sterns rally against the Bush administration on "Supreme Girl" — written from the perspective of failed Supreme Court nominee Harriet Myers — "Papa, You're in Your Prime" and "About the Author."

William Tell's You Can Hold Me Down and Marc Ford's Weary and Wired - Tell broke from Something Corporate three years ago to pursue a solo career, and he's dishing up the 10 fruits of his labor in the form of You Can Hold Me Down. Co-produced and mixed by Thom Panunzio (U2, No Doubt), the set includes "Slipping Under (Sing Along to Your Favorite Song)" — which was featured in an "American Idol" promotional spot — and "Fairfax (You're Still the Same)." Ford also split from his former troupe, the Black Crowes — but according to a statement, he did so to stay sober. A year and a half after leaving that band, Ford dishes up his second solo entry, which features his son Elijah Ford plus "Featherweight Dreamland," "Just Take the Money" and more.

Aqualung's Memory Man and Matthew Jordan's Horizon - Matt Hales — better known as Aqualung — steps up with his second Statewide set and first since being named a VH1 You Oughta Know artist in 2005. With help from brother Ben Hales, mixer Eric Valentine (Good Charlotte, Queens of the Stone Age) and others, Matt Hales brings "Something to Believe In," "Vapour Trail" and "Broken Bones." Jordan is another solo artist with a VH1/MTV background — he was in Five for Fighting's "100 Years" video and was a finalist on MTV's "Duets" with Vanessa Carlton. His first opus features "I'm on My Way," "Eventually" and more.

Jon Rauhouse's Steel Guitar Heart Attack and Paula Frazer and Tarnation's Now It's Time - Pedal-steel genius Rauhouse is backed by Calexico, who he has collaborated with before, throughout his new release, which also features some chanteuse action courtesy of Neko Case, Kelly Hogan and Visqueen's Rachel Flotard. While Rauhouse's third effort is a mostly instrumental affair, he does step to the mic for a special occasion: to sing the theme song to "The Andy Griffith Show." Frazer gets back together with her former group, Tarnation, for Now It's Time, although Frazer handled most of the instrumentation at her Victorian house in San Francisco. The singer, the daughter of a minister, also includes her name on the release because she had "walked away from the name 'Tarnation' in order to free herself from the structure that the band concept inevitably imposed," according to a press release. In other words, they broke up.

Hubert Selby Jr.'s "It/ll Be Better Tomorrow" and Guns N' Roses' "November Rain in Paradise City" - It's doubtful you know Selby Jr. by name, but if "Requiem for a Dream" and "Last Exit to Brooklyn" ring a bell, then you're more familiar with the controversial author than you realize. Paying a visit on "Tomorrow" — a chronicle of Selby Jr.'s battles with tuberculosis, drugs and financial ruin — are Jared Leto, Henry Rollins, Lou Reed and Robert Downey Jr., who narrates. Way more unauthorized is the GN'R documentary, which traces the band's entire career — its "rise, fall and rise," if you will, in the parlance of a press release.

The Tragically Hip's World Container and Uncle Earl's Waterloo Tennessee - The Hip — who recently opened for the Who — enlisted Metallica conspirator Bob Rock for their new one, which is being powered by the top 40 single "In View." In terms of producer prestige, they'll have to duke it out with Uncle Earl, who roped in Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones to help hammer out their second offering. Jones did his best to capture every sound the Waterloo, Tennessee, band made with fiddles, banjos, mandolins, crystalline tender harmonies and wobbleboard.

Song Title of the Week:

Tie between "No Cuts, No Butts, No Coconuts" and "High School Was Like Boot Camp for a Desk Job" from Death by Stereo's Death Alive

Other Notables:

Rosie Thomas' These Friends of Mine
Thomas is quiet and spare as usual on her fourth album, but before this goes under your radar, be aware that there's a little fellow by the name of Sufjan Stevens helping her throughout the effort. Odd for an indie stalwart like Thomas, her LP's already been getting play on TV's "Grey's Anatomy" and "Bones." The album features "All the Way to New York City," "Why Waste More Time?" and a cover of R.E.M.'s "The One I Love" with Stevens.

Ken Andrews' Secrets of the Lost Satellite
Andrews has been involved in music to varying degrees for decades — as the leader of Failure, as a member of a side project featuring members of Tool, and as a producer/mixer for Beck, Tenacious D and wife Charlotte Martin. His first solo affair as "Ken Andrews" — and the first release from his own Dinosaur Fight label — was actually produced by Beck's live musical director, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, and features "Secret Things," "Write Your Story" and more.

Chuck E. Weiss' 23rd & Stout
Cuban surf guitar, lounge swing, alt-rock and other sounds come together to form "discom-bop-ulated jive," the self-described blend Weiss is responsible for. The Denver, Colorado, musician — who had the honor of playing with Lightnin' Hopkins, Willie Dixon and others — ganged up with longtime drummer Don Heffington to produce his fourth effort. It marks the first time the singer/songwriter has used the digital format and features a detective theme throughout proving that after all these years, Weiss knows what he's doing.

New Releases:

· 8Ball and MJG - Ridin High (Bad Boy) [Buy Now]
· Alternate Routes - Good and Reckless and True (Vanguard)
· Ken Andrews - Secrets of the Lost Satellite (digipak; Dinosaur Fight)
· Aqualung - Memory Man (Columbia) [Buy Now]
· Artimus Pyle - Artimus Venomous (Cleopatra)
· Wendy Atkinson - Pink Noise (Get to the Point)
· Baby Teeth - The Simp (Lujo)
· Black Milk - Popular Demand (Fatbeats)
· Brazzaville - East L.A. Breeze (Vendlus)
· Johnny Bush - Kashmere Gardens Mud (Icehouse)
· Cadence Weapon - Breaking Kayfabe (Upper Class)
· Death by Stereo - Death Alive (Reignition)
· Dollyrots - Because I'm Awesome (enhanced; Blackheart)
· Spencer Durham - Much More Than Words (Burnside)
· Thomas Dybdahl - Science (Rykodisc)
· SJ Esau - Wrong Faced Cat Feed Collapse (Anticon)
· Marc Ford - Weary and Wired (Blues Bureau)
· The Fratellis - Costello Music (Cherry Tree) [Buy Now]
· Paula Frazer and Tarnation - Now It's Time (Birdman)
· Marty Friedman - Loudspeaker (Shrapnel)
· David Galas - The Cataclysm (Vendlus)
· Girl Authority - Road Trip (with DVD; Zoë/Rounder)
· Grand Champeen - Dial T for This (In Music We Trust)
· Grayceon - Grayceon (Vendlus)
· Green Lizard - Las Armas del Silencio (I Scream)
· Heavenly - Virus (Locomotive)
· The Innocence Mission - We Walked in Song (Badman)
· The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Live at Oslo Jazz Festival (Alternative Tentacles) [Buy Now]
· Glenn Jones - Against Which the Sea Continually Beats (Strange Attractors)
· Matthew Jordan - Horizon (Quiet Thunder)
· Lucy Kaplansky - Over the Hills (Red House)
· Jorma Kaukonen - Stars in My Crown (Red House)
· Lloyd - Street Love (Motown) [Buy Now]
· Lodger - Hi-Fi High Lights Down Low (Rykodisc)
· Brad Mehldau - Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz Radio Rebroadcast (Jazz Alliance)
· Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau - Quartet (Nonesuch)
· Minmae - 835 (Greyday)
· Monarch - Dead Men Tell No Tales (two CDs; Crucial Blast)
· Eddie Money - Wanna Go Back (Big Deal)
· James Morrison - Undiscovered (Interscope) [Buy Now]
· Musiq Soulchild - Luvanmusiq (Atlantic) [Buy Now]
· Nadja - Touched (Alien 8)
· Nakatomi Plaza - Unsettled (Reignition)
· Graham Parker - Don't Tell Columbus (Bloodshot)
· Steve Porter - Porterhouse Vol. 2 (two CDs; EQ)
· Jon Rauhouse - Steel Guitar Heart Attack (Bloodshot)
· Rich Boy - Rich Boy (Interscope) [Buy Now]
· The Roches - Moonswept (429)
· Shadetek - Pale Fire (Sound Ink)
· Alex Skolnick Trio - Last Day in Paradise (Magnatude)
· Starcastle - Song of Times (Progrock)
· The Sterns - Sinners Stick Together (Omnirox)
· William Tell - You Can Hold Me Down (New Door)
· Rosie Thomas - These Friends of Mine (Nettwerk)
· The Tragically Hip - World Container (Fontana)
· Tricky Bizzniss - Tricky Bizzniss (EsNtion)
· Type O Negative - Dead Again (SPV) [Buy Now]
Read: "Type O Negative Remember Dimebag Darrell On 'Positive' New LP"
· Uncle Earl - Waterloo Tennessee (Rounder)
· Unsane - Visqueen (Ipecac) [Buy Now]
· Chuck E. Weiss - 23rd & Stout (Cooking Vinyl)
· Hayley Westenra - Celtic Treasure (Decca)
· Amy Winehouse - Back to Black (Republic) [Buy Now]
· Various artists - If You Ain't Got the Do Re Me: Songs of Rags and Riches (Smithsonian Folkways)
· Various artists - Radio Disney Jams 9 (with DVD; Disney)
· Various artists - Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of the Beatles, Björk and Bob Marley (Baby Rock)
· Various artists - VIP 01 (two CDs; Swank)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:
· Agnostic Front/ Discipline - Working Class Heroes (live; I Scream)
· Tracy Byrd - The Definitive Collection (MCA Nashville)
· Guy Clark - Americana Master Series: Best of the Sugar Hill Years (Sugar Hill)
· The Corrs - Dreams: The Ultimate Corrs Collection (Rhino)
· Floyd Cramer - Pop Classics - Volume One (Yell)
· Dokken - From Conception: Live 1981 (Rhino)
· Jerry Douglas - Americana Master Series: Best of the Sugar Hill Years (Sugar Hill)
· José Feliciano - Live at the Blue Note New York (Ryko)
· G.B.H - Race Against Time: The Complete Clay Recordings (three CDs; Castle)
· Gillie Da Kid - The Best of the GDK Mixtapes (Babygrande)
· Merle Haggard - The Definitive Collection (MCA Nashville)
· Holy Moses - World Chaos (Locomotive)
· Looking Forward - What This Means To Me (with DVD; Blood & Ink)
· James McMurtry - Americana Master Series: Best of the Sugar Hill Years (Sugar Hill)
· Wilson Pickett - Hey Jude (DBK Works)
· Shiner - Making Love E.P. (Sidecho)
· Tankard - Kings of Beer (Locomotive)
· Traffic - The Definitive Collection (Hip-O/UMe)
· Jack Wagner - All I Need (Friday) · Chely White - The Definitive Collection (Hip-O/UMe)
· Mark Wills - The Definitive Collection (Island/Mercury)
· Neil Young - Massey Hall 1971 (with DVD; Reprise)
· Various artists - Hollywood Hits: 70 Years of Memorable Movie Music (three CDs; Shout! Factory)
· Various artists - Northern Stars: A Canadian Singers & Songwriters Collection (Time Life)
· Various artists - Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration (two CDs; Stax)

Music DVDs:
· Big Audio Dynamite - "Live: E=MC2" (MVD Visual)
· Charms - "Easy Trouble: Bird's Eye View of a DIY Band" (MVD Visual)
· Eric Clapton - "Layla: Interviews" (MVD Visual)
· Albert Collins & the Icebreakers - "In Concert: Ohne Filter" (MVD Visual)
· Damn Yankees - "Uprising Live!" (Rhino)
· Dokken - "Unchain the Night" (Rhino)
· Egilsson, Perdersen, Darling - "Live in Vienna" (MVD Visual)
· Einstuerzende Neubauten - "Palast der Republik" (MVD Visual)
· Crystal Gayle - "Live in Tennessee" (Immortal)
· Genesis - "In Their Own Words" (with book; Classic Rock Legends)
· Guns N' Roses - "November Rain in Paradise City" (Locomotive)
· Kinks - "In Their Own Words" (with book; Classic Rock Legends)
· Led Zeppelin - "In Their Own Words" (with book; Classic Rock Legends)
· Metallica - "Phantom Puppets: Interviews" (MVD Visual)
· Oasis - "Morning Glory: A Classic Album Under Review" (MVD Visual)
· Oscar Peterson Trio - "The Berlin Concert" (MVD Visual)
· Hubert Selby Jr. - "It/ll Be Better Tomorrow" (Eclectic)
· Frank Sinatra - "Stage & Screen Collection" (Passport)
· The Smiths - "Still Ill: Interviews" (MVD Visual)
· Mary Wells - "Greatest Hits" (MVD Visual)
· Various artists - "Appetite for Deconstruction: A Punk Rockumentary" (MVD Visual)
· Various artists - "Favela Rising" (Genius Products)

Coming Attractions:

March 20:
· C-Murder - Screamin' 4 Vengeance (Capitol) [Preorder]
· Decemberists - "A Practical Handbook" DVD (Kill Rock Stars)
· LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver (Capitol) [Preorder]
· Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (Epic) [Preorder]

March 27:
· Good Charlotte - Good Morning Revival (Epic) [Preorder]
Read: "Good Charlotte Don Their Dance Shoes For Feel-Good Revival"
· Jennifer Lopez - Como Ama Una Mujer (Epic) [Preorder]
Read: "Jennifer Lopez Says New Single Came From Marc Anthony's Dream"
· Tha Dogg Pound - Dogg Ch-- (Koch) [Preorder]
· Young Buck - Buck the World (Interscope) [Preorder]

April 3:
· The Academy Is ... - Santi (Atlantic) [Preorder]
Read: "The Academy Is ... Say New Album Sounds Nothing Like Fall Out Boy"
· Beyoncé - B-Day - Deluxe Edition (with bonus CD; Columbia)[Preorder]
Read: "Beyonce Turns Heads With Sports Illustrated Cover, Shakira Duet"
· Chevelle - Vena Sera (Epic) [Preorder]
· Paul Wall - Get Money - Stay True (Atlantic) [Preorder]
Read: " 'Mature' Paul Wall Still Raps About Girls, Grills With Mariah, T.I."
· Shadows Fall - Threads of Life (Atlantic) Read: "Dave Grohl's Party Calls Can't Distract Shadows Fall From Recording LP"

• You Hear It First: The Fratellis

• Lloyd
• Musiq Soulchild
• The Fratellis
• Rich Boy
• William Tell

Lloyd Banks
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Lloyd Banks finally has a solid release date for his second album — not that it's stopping him from recording more songs.

"I don't stop recording until they tell me I can't — 'cause some of your best records come at crunch time," said Banks, who is still adding material to Rotten Apple, due September 19.

In fact, at June's BET Awards, where Banks performed with Busta Rhymes (see "Eminem Joins Busta Onstage, Jamie Foxx Smooches Fantasia At BET Awards"), the rapper was doing a little work for the record. "It's a good thing to be back around and see a lot of your peers, and I'm actually going to call a few of them and try and get 'em into the studio to close the album out," he said.

So far, Banks has brought in his G-Unit family — 50 Cent, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, Mobb Deep and Spider Loc — as well as Timbaland, Scarface, 8Ball, Rakim and, most recently, Musiq (Soulchild). "It ain't too many, but the ones I got on board are awesome," Banks said.

Although he's still recording, Banks has already released the first single — "Hands Up" — and has the second picked out.

"The track is basically me giving orders throughout the whole record, basically me telling you to keep your hands up," Banks said of the single. "It's a feel-good record, it's a party record. I wanted to get back into the club." The song features a verse from 50 Cent and was produced by Eminem (see "Lloyd Banks Snatches Up 50, Em, Rakim For LP — And Gets His 'Cake' Too").

"I had a record recorded, actually, and I sent it to [50] and then Em. He sent it back to me and it's a hit," Banks said. "It's 'On Fire' all over again. That's what he told me not so long ago, it's 'On Fire' part two," he added, referring to one of the big singles from his 2004 debut, The Hunger for More.

As for the next one, Banks is "gonna talk to the females again." "The name of that track is 'Help' — not me, but help the girl," is all he would say about single number two.

• Jay-Z, Beyonce, Eminem, Chris Brown And More At The 2006 BET Awards
• The 2006 BET Awards Red Carpet

• Lloyd Banks
• Musiq Soulchild

Mary J. Blige (file)
Photo: WireImage

Mary J. Blige proclaimed her happiness on her latest album, Love & Life. Now she'll share that emotion with fans around the country.

The singer has announced a national tour beginning April 11 in Miami and ending May 9 in Universal City, California.

This will be Mary's first U.S. tour since performing early-2002 theater dates in support of No More Drama. Since then, Blige has done high-profile spot performances at the Super Bowl and MTV Video Music Awards.

Blige, currently performing a weeklong stint in an off-Broadway play (see "Mary J. Blige Changes Her Mind About Drama"), will feature special guest Musiq during the monthlong trek. The soul crooner released his third album, Soulstar, in December.

Mary J. Blige tour dates, according to her spokesperson:

• 4/11 - Miami, FL @ James L. Knight Center
• 4/14 - Richmond, VA @ Landmark Theatre
• 4/15 - Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Opera House
• 4/16 - Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
• 4/18 - Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
• 4/19 - Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theatre
• 4/20 - Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theatre
• 4/22 - New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
• 4/23 - New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
• 4/24 - Boston, NY @ Wang Center
• 4/26 - Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
• 4/27 - Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
• 4/28 - Cleveland, OH @ State Theatre
• 4/30 - Chicago, IL @ Arie Crown Theater
• 5/1 - Chicago, IL @ Arie Crown Theater
• 5/5 - Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre
• 5/7 - Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre
• 5/8 - Universal City, CA @ Universal Amphitheater
• 5/9 - Universal City, CA @ Universal Amphitheater

• Mary J. Blige
• Musiq Soulchild

Ruben Studdard (file)
Photo: MTV News

To the victor may go the spoils, but the runner-up sells more records. At least that's how the "American Idol" popularity contest played out.

Last week, second-season champ Ruben Studdard sold more than 416,000 copies of his debut album, Soulful, according to SoundScan, falling nearly 200,000 copies short of the first-week total of Clay Aiken's 2-month-old Measure of a Man, which ranks fourth on this year's list of best-selling chart debuts. Clay also bested Ruben by more than 100,000 copies when the "AI" finalists' singles were simultaneously released in June.

Still, Ruben's debut will place first on next week's Billboard 200 albums chart, and the "Velvet Teddy Bear" has proven to be one of the most popular new artists of 2003, recording a duet with fellow big man Fat Joe and his working with producers Swizz Beatz and R. Kelly on Soulful. (Missy Elliott and Ja Rule also contributed, but their songs didn't make the final cut.)

Soulful will be trailed by The Diary of Alicia Keys and Now That's What I Call Music! 14, which sold more than 342,000 and 260,000 copies, respectively. Because of Diary's massive debut a week ago — third biggest of the year with 618,000 copies — the only place it could go was down. Her second album is the only disc in the top 20 that didn't see a rise in sales last week as the gift-giving holidays grew nearer. Of that pack, Rod Stewart enjoyed the biggest Christmas goose, moving six spots to #7 with As Time Goes By ... The Great American Songbook Volume II after an 83 percent boost in sales.

The Very Best of Sheryl Crow holds at #9, though its sales went up 32 percent to more than 173,000 copies. The rest of the top 10 slides slightly, as Toby Keith's Shock'n Y'all drops two to #4 (more than 245,000 sold); Josh Groban's Closer falls two to #5 (237,000); Outkast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below sinks one to #6 (215,000); Hilary Duff's Metamorphosis shifts down to #8; and Britney Spears' In the Zone dips three to #10 (158,000).

Hip-hop and R&B albums lead the pack of chart newbies, with Musiq's third album, Soulstar, fronting the charge at #13. Featuring Ice Cube, Mack 10 and WC, Westside Connection's return from a seven-year absence, Terrorist Threats, bows at #16, while singer Avant's third album, Private Room, comes in at #18.

The Big Tymers' Big Money Heavy debuts at #21, just missing a spot in the top 20 thanks to the Beatles' Let It Be ... Naked, which outsold it by around 500 copies. Despite the popularity of her Tasty single, "Milkshake," Kelis' third album bows at #27 with more than 93,000 copies sold. At least her record label decided to release it in the U.S., which is more than can be said for the singer's second album, Wanderland.

Rockers take their positions further down the chart. The Offspring's seventh album of their 14-year career, Splinter, debuts at #30 (87,000), a big drop from the mark set by their last album, 2000's Conspiracy of One, which placed at #9 with more than 125,000 sold. Hoobastank's second album, The Reason, bows at #45.

Other notable debuts include Nick Cannon's self-titled premiere at #83, Fefe Dobson's eponymous debut at #111, and Ryan Adams' second volume of his Love Is Hell twin EPs at #171.

• Ruben Studdard
• Clay Aiken
• Alicia Keys
• Rod Stewart
• Sheryl Crow

Musiq
Photo: MTV News

LOS ANGELES — On the back cover of his last album, Musiq is pictured thumbing through crates of vinyl, surrounded by 8-tracks. Perhaps his new artwork will find him immersed in cassettes.

"I'm a '70s baby, but I'm trying to step into the '80s a little bit," Musiq said, talking particularly about his upcoming single, "Forthenight." "It has a little bit of a nice four-on-the-floor, skating-rink kind of feel-good vibe. I'm just trying to break the monotony of things that's going on, trying to cut through, create my own lane in the process, but definitely just trying to make feel-good music."

"Forthenight" is the first single from Musiq's third album (see "Musiq To Drop Soulstar In December"), now due December 9. Originally called Soulstar, it will now carry the title Soulstarradio.

"I didn't wanna come out as like this arrogant dude saying, 'I'm the soul star!' " Musiq said, explaining the change backstage at Sunday's Shortlist concert (see "Irish Singer Damien Rice Wins Shortlist Music Prize"). "I chose Soulstarradio because it's more like I'm trying to make music and contribute to what I would like to hear on the radio. But the idea of Soulstar comes from all of the soul stars from the past, like Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, etc. that I'm basically trying to follow within the tradition of.

"I'm just praying that I can live up to it," he added, with a smile.

That shouldn't be a problem. Musiq's last album, Juslisen, topped the charts when it was released last spring (see "Musiq Tops Albums Chart, Lauryn Hill Makes Big Debut"), and while the new material flirts more with '80s sounds, it won't be that different from what fans are used to.

"If you fused Aijuswanaseing, which is my first album, with Juslisen, then you get Soulstarradio, basically," Musiq explained.

The new album will likely include a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Miss You," but Musiq isn't sure if any artists themselves will guest. What he is sure about is that Soulstarradio will be promoted with a world tour.

"I definitely have to give it up to my international fans, 'cause I didn't really do it on my last album," he said. "I might even go and live [somewhere overseas] for a little while. I'm thinking about that really hard. Go to London, go to Japan, somewhere, and just chill out there for maybe a month or so."

• Musiq Soulchild

Musiq
Photo: Gregg Delman

Fittingly, the Philadelphia studio that R&B singer Musiq has been holed up in for the past few months working on his third LP, Soulstar, is named Home Cookin.' It seems the singer is always aiming to make tunes that leave you feeling fulfilled, as though you'd just eaten a hearty meal.

According to his label spokesperson, Musiq has set a release date of December 2 for his album and is almost ready to unveil his first single to the world, an uptempo number entitled "Forthenight." The idiosyncratic crooner stuck to the usual ingredients for his musical buffet, working with his writing partner Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias, who produced most of his first two albums.

Besides the single, Musiq covered the Rolling Stones' "Miss You" and is offering up other cuts on the album like "Romancipation," "Love Me" and "Who Knows." Currently there are no guest stars on Soulstar playing major roles, but Musiq's rep said fellow R&B singer Kenny Lattimore laid background vocals for one song.

The singer is currently finalizing a treatment for the "Forthenight" video.

• Musiq Soulchild

Prince
Photo: Steven Parke

Since their songs have such a sensual flow, no one's ever questioned whether or not Prince or Musiq are experienced. Some folks may not know they're also experienced — as in fans of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Prince and Musiq will both be featured on the Hendrix tribute album this fall, and they'll probably both be excited to hear there's another album of previously unreleased Jimi material on the way.

For the tribute disc, titled Power of Soul, the Minnesota native with a penchant for purple recorded a version of "Red House," which he's renamed "Purple House," and Musiq reinterpreted "Are You Experienced?" (see "Musiq Likely Joining Forces With Prince For Juslisen Follow-Up").

The Hendrix love fest also includes Santana covering "Spanish Castle Magic," Parliament/Funkadelic singer George Clinton and bassist Bootsy Collins funkin' up "Power of Soul," and Earth, Wind & Fire turning on the heat for "Voodoo Chile."

A couple of collaborations will appear on the album as well. Kid Rock's guitarist Kenny Olson joins Chaka Khan on "Little Wing," and guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck and pop/R&B singer Seal take on "The Wind Cries Mary."

Power of Soul will include one of the last recordings by the late John Lee Hooker, the disc's second version of "Red House." And former Hendrix alumni also chime in; Band of Gypsies drummer Buddy Miles plays on "Manic Depression" and bassist Billy Cox performs on "Machine Gun."

The tribute record was assembled over much of the past year by Jimi's half sister Janie Hendrix and her husband Sheldon Reynolds, who played guitar in Earth, Wind & Fire and the Commodores. The project was delayed when Jimi's dad, Al Hendrix, passed away last April.

The goals for Janie were to show how many artists Hendrix influenced and to expose a new audience to his timeless music.

"Jimi's music is really universal, and we wanted to express that," she said. "The songs [on the tribute record] all have their own feel. It's not just a recreation of Jimi. It is Jimi's music, but woven in is the talent of each individual artist."

The way the musicians vibed off Hendrix parallels the way Jimi was inspired by the bluesmen who motivated him to pick up a guitar, Janie said.

"He took Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and John Lee Hooker, and expanded upon what they were doing and then gave it back to a new generation."

Proceeds from Power of Soul will go to the United Negro College Fund.

When the mobile Hendrix museum Red House swings by their locale, many artists on the record will likely take the stage with the company's tribute band, but no all-star concert has been planned, Janie said.

The buzz from Power of Soul should nicely set the stage for a brand new Hendrix album. The guitar hero's estate has a few legal hurdles to clear, but by year's end it hopes to issue a disc of previously unreleased songs, outtakes and live material, Janie said. If its plan falls through, the foundation has a backup: a previously unheard complete concert recording.

"We're very proud of these things [Jimi did], and we can't wait to share them with people," she said.

• Jimi Hendrix
• Prince
• Santana
• Musiq Soulchild

Musiq
Photo: Def Jam

Grammar purists beware.

Musiq, whose credits include Aijuswanaseing and Juslisen, is planning a collaboration with Prince, who once used a symbol for his name and has basically created his own number-inspired alphabet.

The two soul singers, who performed live together at a Prince show last year, will likely join forces for Musiq's third album.

"I think it's important to collaborate with other people, just to bring together two worlds and see what comes out of it," Musiq said recently. "It's all about inspiring people and keeping the ball rolling. What one does now contributes to the future. If you're not putting nothing out there that's substantial, there won't be a future in music."

Musiq's not sure who else he will record with for the follow-up to Juslisen, but the singer will next be seen teaming with Carlos Santana on "Nothing at All," his contribution to the guitarist's Shaman and the album's next single.

"He was going to put someone else on the song, but I was suggested by his friend's son and he liked what he heard," Musiq said. "It meant a lot to me to be able to work with Carlos. It was a very peaceful experience."

Musiq loved the opportunity to salute a legend so much, he signed on for two upcoming tribute albums, for Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix.

For the former project, Musiq recorded "Visions." "It's the most beautiful song I've heard in my entire life," he said. "I translated it into a way that I would do it."

Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs, which also features Mary J. Blige, Brian McKnight, Joe, Glenn Lewis, Eric Clapton, Angie Stone, India.Arie and others, is due Tuesday.

MCA Records is releasing the Hendrix tribute, which will include tracks from Seal, Santana, Prince, Bootsy Collins, Vernon Reid, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Musiq recorded "Are You Experienced?" for the album, which does not yet have a release date.

"Everyone knows I love Stevie, but I'm very influenced and inspired by all people who are passionate about their music, and Jimi was definitely that," Musiq said.

Hendrix's half-sister Janie, who is organizing the album, suggested the song. "I did it and I loved it," Musiq said. "I didn't want to do it exactly like it, but I wanted to contribute to the space he was in as much as I could. I'm playing bass with my band. We cut it straight in one take."

With both tribute tracks in the can, Musiq is now focusing on his own album, which he plans to finish by June and release in September. The singer, who recently signed on for Coca-Cola and Levi's ad campaigns, said to expect a new and improved Musiq.

"I don't like doing the same thing," he said. "Just in my approach, I try to introduce alternative ways of listening to music. It's all in the name of soul, but just being more innovative with it."

• Musiq Soulchild
• Prince

Nelly
Photo: Universal

Nelly, Ashanti, Musiq and B2K took two awards each at the 17th annual Soul Train Music Awards Saturday at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California.

Nelly won R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year for Nellyville (beating Nas, LL Cool J and Ashanti) and was honored with the 2003 Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year.

Ashanti won Best R&B/Soul Single: Female for her song "Foolish" (beating out Amerie, Erykah Badu and India.Arie) and Best R&B/Soul Album: Female for Ashanti (besting Amerie, Mary J. Blige and Angie Stone).

Musiq took Best R&B/Soul Single: Male for "Dontchange" (beating Justin Timberlake, Maxwell and Usher) and Best R&B/Soul Album: Male for Juslisen (topping Timberlake, Jaheim and Gerald Levert).

B2K won Best R&B/Soul Single: Group, Band or Duo for "Bump, Bump, Bump," which features P. Diddy (beating Dru Hill, Floetry and TLC) and Best R&B/Soul Album: Group, Band or Duo for B2K (defeating Boyz II Men, Floetry and R. Kelly & Jay-Z).

Other winners included Missy Elliott (Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video for "Work It"), Amerie (Best R&B/Soul or Rap: New Artist for "Why Don't We Fall in Love") and Kirk Franklin (Best Gospel Album for The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin).

In addition, Mariah Carey and LL Cool J won Quincy Jones Awards for Outstanding Career Achievement. The event was co-hosted by Arsenio Hall and Queen Latifah and aired live.

• Nelly
• Ashanti
• Musiq Soulchild
• B2K
• LL Cool J

Chris Brown, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, More At 2008 BET Awards

• Rihanna
• Alicia Keys
• Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)
• Flo Rida
• DJ Khaled

Ashlee, Jessica, More Arrive At Avalon Hollywood 02.11.2005

• Jessica Simpson
• Nick Lachey
• Ashlee Simpson
• Black Eyed Peas
• Aaron Carter

Timberlake, Black Eyes Peas, More At Avalon Hollywood 02.11.2005

• Justin Timberlake
• Black Eyed Peas
• P!nk
• Floetry
• John Legend

Urban Aid Concert

• Ashanti
• Diddy
• Fat Joe
• Ja Rule
• Jay-Z

45th Annual Grammy Award Nominees, Presenters, And Performers

• Ashanti
• Norah Jones
• Avril Lavigne
• John Mayer
• Nelly

• Musiq Soulchild

"How High" Movie Premiere

• Method Man/Redman
• Kelis
• Musiq Soulchild
• L.O.X.
• Wu-Tang Clan