Hopeful for a #1 debut, Damian Marley & Nas‘ Distant Relatives project began its run on the charts at #4. The Universal Republic/Def Jam Records collaborative release fell behind The Black Keys, Justin Bieber and a new addition of Glee music. The Africa-inspired project did clear 50,000 units, with its rich commentary on the parallel relationship between Hip Hop and Reggae. Lil Wayne, K’Naan, Dennis Brown and Joss Stone appear on the work produced by Damian and brother Stephen.
The other major debut was the anticipated reunion album of Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek as Reflection Eternal. A decade after their acclaimed and commercially successful Rawkus Records debut, Train of Thought, Revolutions Per Minutehas been met with a new dose of rave reviews, as the duo finds themselves on Warner Brothers/Asylum Records. With co-executive production by Sha Money XL, R.P.M. features appearances from Bun B, J. Cole, Mos Def and Jay Electronica, among an assortment of Pop/R&B appearances. The album debuted at #17, moving over 20,000 first-week units.
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As usual of late, Usher‘s Raymond v. Raymond maintained its #7 place. B.o.B. Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray also held at #13, as the Rebel Rock sensation has the strongest commercial debut in Rap thus far in 2010. Another genre-bending Georgia talent, DXnext alum, Janelle Monae‘s sophomore album, The Archandroid debuted at #16. With strong cosigns from both Big Boi and Diddy, the Bad Boy/Atlantic Records starlet furthers her ascent to the mainstream.
* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)
| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 4 | Damian Marley & Nas | Distant Relatives | 57,000 | 58,000 |
| 7 | Usher | Raymond v. Raymond | 41,000 | 721,000 |
| 13 | B.o.B. Presents | The Adventures of Bobby Ray | 23,000 | 170,000 |
| 16 | Janelle Monae | The Archandroid | 21,000 | 21,000 |
| 17 | Reflection Eternal | Revolutions Per Minute | 21,000 | 21,000 |
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Ludacris fell to #30 with Battle of the Sexes. The DTP/Def Jam album remains the imprint’s most successful 2010 album to date, and carries itself towards a gold plaque, possibly due by mid-summer. Trina‘s Pop-inspired album, Amazin’sits on the cusp of 50,000 units sold. The Diamond Princess’ independent release boasts backing by EMI Records, similar to releases by Raekwon and Twista last year.
Another Warner Rap release, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony‘s Uni5: The World’s Enemy slipped to #82. The radio-friendly album features a reunited cast of Bone brothers, who have shot an assortment of videos to support the DJ U-Neek-produced effort.
Once kin to the same Ruthless Records family that spawned Bone Thugs, 8Ball & MJG remained in the Top 100 with Ten Toes Down. Distributed through E1 Entertainment, the Grand Hustle project is executive produced by T.I., and features an extensive guest-list of contemporaries and newer artists influenced by the Memphis mainstays.
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Another comeback act, Cypress Hill, may be bidding the Top 200 farewell, with their Rise Up. The Priority Records release features production by Pete Rock and Alchemist, as well as high-profile appearances from Tom Morello and Pitbull. The reunion of B-Real, Sen Dog and DJ Muggs has yet to pass the 40,000 mark, though it remains close.
| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 30 | Ludacris | Battle of the Sexes | 13,000 | 417,000 |
| 59 | Trina | Amazin’ | 6,700 | 49,000 |
| 82 | Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | Uni5: The World’s Enemy | 5,700 | 45,000 |
| 89 | 8Ball & MJG | Ten Toes Down | 5,300 | 29,000 |
| 191 | Cypress Hill | Rise Up | 2,500 | 37,000 |
Can physical release of Scarface’s Dopeman Musicor Pack FM’s long-awaited I Fucking Hate Rappers sneak their way onto the charts next week? Stay tuned to HipHopDX to see…
