After reclaiming the #1 spot last week with B.o.B. Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray, urban releases lost the first 10 places on the charts this week. The Atlantic Records sensation’s debut even gave way (by two spots) to Usher‘s Raymond v. Raymond, who claimed the #10 spot. Usher’s conceptual “divorce album” is marching towards platinum for the LaFace legend.
Two new Rap releases took the Top 15, both from veterans. Trina‘s Pop-inspired album, Amazin’sold over 30,000 first week units. The Miami mami’s latest record featured Nicki Minaj, Keri Hilson and Diddy, giving the Slip-N-Slide Records diamond princees a musical makeover after two dismal releases. The top-selling Rap group of all time, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony fell one spot behind, at #14, with their Warner Brothers debut. Another more Top 40-minded effort, this release, Uni5: The World’s Enemy marked the full reunion with Bizzy Bone and Flesh-N-Bone rejoining the constant three members. Despite its radio intentions, the effort was largely produced by core Bone producer, DJ U-Neek.
Another Ruthless Records alumni group, The Black Eyed Peas, fell to #27 with The E.N.D. after the swarm of new album debuts.
* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandth.
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Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)
| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 10 | Usher | Raymond v. Raymond | 51,000 | 637,000 |
| 12 | B.o.B. Presents | The Adventures of Bobby Ray | 36,000 | 120,000 |
| 13 | Trina | Amazin’ | 32,000 | 32,000 |
| 14 | Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | Uni5: The World’s Enemy | 29,000 | 30,000 |
| 27 | Black Eyed Peas | The E.N.D. | 23,000 | 2,499,000 |
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Memphis veteran duo 8Ball & MJG went from working on Diddy’s Bad Boy label to working on T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint with Ten Toes Down. Distributed through E1 Entertainment, the group’s first official album in three years features Slim Thug, Soulja Boy, Bun B and of course T.I. The group entered the Top 40, selling over 15,000 first week units.
DXnext artist and Los Angeles-based producer Flying Lotus saw his latest release, Cosmogramma debut in the Top 100. This third LP sees work with tour buddy, Thom Yorke of Radiohead as well as frequent collaborator Laura Darlington. The Warp Records artist has previously produced for Hip Hop acts such as Detroit’s Finale and others.
Cypress Hill‘s first group album in six years, Rise Up, fell out of the Top 100. The trio (along with percussionist Eric Bobo) released the album on the revamped Priority Records, boasting collaboration with Pete Rock and Pitbull.
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Drake’s So Far Gone may see a push to gold with his June release of Thank Me Later. Widely considered an EP, The Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown release cleared 450,000 units last week. Wu-Tang Clan member trio GhostfaceKillah, Method Man & Raekwon‘s Wu-Massacre hung on to the Top 200 at #199. The critically-praised collaboration was released on the Def Jam imprint, and boasts production from Scram Jones and RZA. The work has cleared 65,000 units to date.
| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 36 | 8Ball & MJG | Ten Toes Down | 16,000 | 16,000 |
| 87 | Flying Lotus | Cosmogramma | 6,400 | 6,800 |
| 105 | Cypress Hill | Rise Up | 5,900 | 31,000 |
| 119 | Drake | So Far Gone | 5,200 | 453,000 |
| 199 | Method Man, GhostfaceKillah & Raekwon | Wu Massacre | 2,900 | 67,000 |
Can Sage Francis’ Indie Rock-supported L(i)fe put Providence, Rhode Island Hip Hop on the charts? Will Rap return to the Top 10? Stay tuned to HipHopDX to find out.
