MTV’s Hope For Haiti Now release from Friday’s (January 22) multi-network telethon assumed the top position on the charts. The live release of songs specifically written for the tragedy included work from already chartering acts such as Jay-Z, Rihanna, Alicia, Keys and Mary J Blige. Wyclef Jean was also involved. Proceeds from the sale go to relief efforts in Haiti, which were independent of the over $57 million raised by phone, text and web support over the weekend.
Another compilation, Capitol’s 2010 Grammy Nominees came in at #5. The collection of songs included only one track from the Hip Hop genre, courtesy of Black Eyed Peas and David Guetta‘s Pop hit “I Gotta Feeling,” which was a top-selling single and used in a Target campaign.
Alicia Keys‘ Element Of Freedom remained in the Top 10. The #7 J Records release appears to be two more weeks away from a platinum plaque, though Keys’ involvement with the aforementioned telethon and other media appearances could drive sales faster.
The Black Eyed Peas assumed #9 with The E.N.D. The Los Angeles-based quartet continues to fluctuate on the charts unlike typical urban releases. The release appears that it may double platinum by March, especially with their Grammy Awards coverage.
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Still a Top 15 release, Mary J Blige’s Stronger (With Each Tear) achieved gold status last week. The Geffen Records release features production from Hip Hop talents such as The Runners and Polow Da Don.
* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandeth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)
| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 1 | Various Artists | Hope For Haiti Now | 171,000 | 171,000 |
| 5 | Various Artists | 2010 Grammy Nominees | 49,000 | 49,000 |
| 7 | Alicia Keys | Element of Freedom | 40,000 | 928,000 |
| 9 | Black Eyed Peas | The E.N.D. | 35,000 | 1,890,000 |
| 14 | Mary J Blige | Stronger (With Each Tear) | 29,000 | 504,000 |
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Lil Wayne and teammates’ We Are Young Money crossed the 250,000 mark last week. It has also been announced that Drake’s Thank Me Later will be seeing record store shelves as of March, furthering the Young Money dominance. Drake’s So Far Gone EP
was at #70, which has sold over 350,000 units.
The repackaging of Eminem’s Relapse (as Relapse: Refill) and Jay-Z‘s Blueprint 3 only sold seven more units last week respectively: (14,560 vs. 14,553). Both releases aim for multi-platinum status, with equal potential in the next quarter. 50 Cent‘s Before I Self Destruct heads towards 400,000. The Interscope album may be Fif’s last with his second major label.
Once a championed producer of underground Hip Hop, RJD2 and his The Colossus cracked the charts at #168. The former Def Jux producer and deejay, and one half of Soul Position released the latest project on his RJ’s Electrical Connections label, which is distributed through The Orchard. The project features both Phonte, as well as veteran Colombus emcee Illogic.
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| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 23 | Young Money | We Are Young Money | 19,000 | 251,000 |
| 30 | Eminem | Relapse | 15,000 | 1,791,000 |
| 31 | Jay-Z | Blueprint 3 | 15,000 | 1,563,000 |
| 70 | 50 Cent | Before I Self Destruct | 6,800 | 372,000 |
| 168 | RJD2 | The Colossus | 2,800 | 2,900 |
Closing out the slow, will Strong Arm Steady and Madlib’s In Search og Stoney Jackson make a profound chart appearance? Will Corinne Bailey Rae shake things up near the top?
