Madonna's reign atop the pop world didn't last long, as albums from Mystikal, 98 Degrees, Shyne, Lil' Bow Wow, and Pearl Jam will lead an army of new releases onto the new "Billboard" album chart.
After Madonna's "Music" topped the chart for one week, Mystikal will rule the roost next week, according to sales figures released by SoundScan on Wednesday. The former No Limit rapper (who jumped to Jive Records for his latest effort) sold more than 330,000 copies of his "Let's Get Ready" to claim the top of next week's album chart. The rapper rides to number one on the strength of the LP's first single, "Shake Ya Ass," which is scoring major airplay on radio and video outlets.
Also knocking Madonna back a few slots is 98 Degrees, whose "Revelation," fueled by the hit single "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)," sold more than 276,000 copies to debut at two on next week's chart.
The new blood pushed Madonna's acclaimed "Music" to number three on next week's chart. The perennial pop favorite sold more than 212,000 copies of her latest CD last week after moving more than 419,000 copies of the album in its first week.
While Mystikal rides high on the chart, two other hip-hop notables will crack the top 10 next week. Shyne may have proved that there's no such thing as bad press, as the controversial rapper will see his first album land at number five on the "Billboard" album chart. The Bad Boy Records artist sold just under 160,000 copies of his self-titled debut to score the impressive debut. Meanwhile, 13-year-old rap phenom Lil' Bow Wow did some serious damage his first week out as well, selling more than 101,000 copies of his "Beware Of Dog" to debut at number eight.
While not cracking the top ten, Pearl Jam may have scored the most notable new arrival of the week, as the band will land five new albums onto next week's album chart. The group recently released 25 live CD sets culled from its European tour, and five of those albums will reach the "Billboard Top 200" next week.
Pearl Jam's set from Katowice, Poland, proved to be the highest climbing of the five, debuting at 103 after selling more than 14,000 copies. The band also landed its performances from Milan, Italy; Verona, Italy; London, England; and Hamburg, Germany, on the chart. The five charting albums sold a combined 54,000 copies, a figure that would have earned the band a debut at number 21 (not counting the sales of the additional 20 live albums). By spreading its sales strength, however, the group will make "Billboard" history as the first act ever to debut more than two new albums on the chart at the same time.
In the realm of less ambitious artists for whom one new album is plenty, the new chart will also boast notable debuts from Aaron Carter at 16, Soulfly at 32, Mark Knopfler at 60, Black Eyed Peas at 67, John Hiatt at 110, New Found Glory at 168, A.F.I. at 174, Phife Dawg at 177, and Good Charlotte at 185.
