After last week’s surprising debuts for two of Rap’s most anticipated collaborative projects, the dust settled a bit. Usher‘s Raymond v. Raymondadvanced to #5 from a #7 position last week. The veteran Pop entertainer’s “divorce album” is marching its way to a platinum plaque for Mr. Raymond and his longtime backer, LaFace Records.
Damian Marley & Nas‘ Distant Relatives maintained a Top 10 spot, but fell five spots to #9. The Universal Republic/Def Jam Records collaborative release has garnered huge critical acclaim in the Rap community for 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.
B.o.B. Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray fell just two notches to #15. The Rebel Rock sensation has the strongest commercial debut in Rap thus far in 2010, and will likely clear 200,000 units next week, as last year’s Kid Cudi and Drake sit in the 300,000 and 400,000 units sold categories at present.
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Will all the downward movement, The Black Eyed Peas and their nearly year-old E.N.D. release cleared the 2.5 million mark. The Interscope Records release remains a benchmark for its digital sales, and the label’s success in this economic climate. Another 2009 release, Alicia Keys‘ Element of Freedom was included with the top five Rap/R&B sellers at #29. It was announced last week that the songstress and Swizz Beatz will be having their first child.
* 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 |
| 5 | Usher | Raymond v. Raymond | 35,000 | 757,000 |
| 9 | Damian Marley & Nas | Distant Relatives | 25,000 | 83,000 |
| 15 | B.o.B. Presents | The Adventures of Bobby Ray | 20,000 | 190,000 |
| 21 | Black Eyed Peas | The E.N.D. | 17,000 | 2,552,000 |
| 29 | Alicia Keys | Element of Freedom | 12,000 | 1,292,00 |
Ludacris adjusted to #32 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.
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Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek as Reflection Eternal’s Revolutions Per Minutefell to #62 in its second week on shelves. 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.
Trina‘s Pop-inspired album, Amazin’cleared 50,000 units sold, as expected. The Diamond Princess’ independent release boasts backing by EMI Records, similar to releases by Raekwon and Twista last year. Speaking of southern veterans, 8Ball & MJG bumped to #123 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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| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 32 | Ludacris | Battle of the Sexes | 12,000 | 429,000 |
| 62 | Reflection Eternal | Revolutions Per Minute | 6,800 | 28,000 |
| 85 | Trina | Amazin’ | 5,400 | 54,000 |
| 123 | 8Ball & MJG | Ten Toes Down | 4,200 | 33,000 |
| 133 | Cam’ron & The U.N. Present… | Heat In Here Volume 1 | 3,700 | 3,800 |
Can west coast veterans Kokane and Yukmouth crack the charts next week? Will Homeboy Sandman’s The Good Sun have the sales to match its critical acclaim? Stay tuned to HipHopDX to see…
