It was a record-breaking week on the charts.
Billed as the first leak-proof album of its kind, Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaborative effort, Watch The Throne nearly went reached gold status in its first week. A bulk of those sales were exclusively through iTunes, breaking a record for the Apple digital music store for most first week-units sold ever. Reports indicated that approximately 290,000 of WTT‘s 436,000 units sold were from iTunes, in which case breaking Coldplay’s 2008 record by 135,000 copies. The work features Frank Ocean, Mr. Hudson and Beyonce.
Speaking of, Beyonce’s4 remained a Top 10 release. The Destiny’s Child alum’s fourth solo offering features an appearance by Outkast’s Andre 3000, along with production from Kanye West and his production team – including Jeff Bhasker, as well as a writing credit to former G.O.O.D. Music artist Consequence.
Def Jam Records’ other release last week, Ace Hood‘s Blood, Sweat & Tears pulled a Top debut. The Miami, Florida rapper and DJ Khaled protege sold over 25,000 first-week units. The rapper’s third album features Yo Gotti, Lil Wayne and Drake.
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Royce Da 5’9 and Eminem (as Bad Meets Evil) and their album, Hell: The Sequel climbed three spots. As of now, the Motor City natives are gradually approaching 500,000 units sold, which would earn Royce his first plaque from the RIAA.
A third duo, Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame‘s Brick Squad 1017 project, Ferrari Boyz, also debuted, with over 15,000 units sold. The Warner Brothers Records project features production from Drumma Boy, as well as in-house hit-makers Lex Luger and Southside.
* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)
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| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 1 | Jay-Z & Kanye West | Watch The Throne | 436,000 | 436,000 |
| 7 | Beyonce | 4 | 27,000 | 654,000 |
| 8 | Ace Hood | Blood, Sweat & Tears | 26,000 | 26,000 |
| 11 | Royce Da 5’9 & Eminem (Bad Meets Evil) | Hell: The Sequel | 23,000 | 444,000 |
| 21 | Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka Flame | Ferrari Boyz | 17,000 | 17,000 |
Royce Da 5’9‘s solo album, Success Is Certain, scored a Top 25 debut. Nickel Nine’s self-proclaimed “last solo album on an independent” featured some impressive help, such as Eminem, Travis Barker and Joe Budden, despite its Gracie Productions backing. The album is a thematic update to Royce’s sophomore album, 2004’s Death Is Certain.
Another Detroit, Michigan emcee, Big Sean, is fast approaching 200,000 units sold with his G.O.O.D./Def Jam Records debut, Finally Famous: The Album. Executive produced by Kanye West, the project was largely handled under the direction of Chicago Hip Hop pioneer No I.D.
Speaking of ‘Ye, last November’s magnum opus My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy saw a 29-place increase on the charts. Reportedly, the album’s work with West’s mentor, Jay-Z, is what prompted the idea for Watch The Throne.
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A follow-up to 2009’s Chamber Music, Legendary Weapons enjoyed a third week on the charts. Not to be confused as an official Clan album, this work, produced by Funk outfit The Revelations, along with guidance from RZA, featured Sean Price, Roc Marciano and Action Bronson, in addition to Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God and Inspectah Deck. Masta Killa and GZA did not participate. The work fell 53 more spots in its second week on the charts.
OFWGKTA‘s Tyler, The Creator and Goblin climbed 19 spots on the charts, crossing the 100,000 mark.
| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 25 | Royce Da 5’9 | Success Is Certain | 16,000 | 16,000 |
| 38 | Big Sean | Finally Famous: The Album | 11,000 | 182,000 |
| 111 | Kanye West | My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | 3,900 | 1,191,000 |
| 178 | Wu-Tang | Legendary Weapons | 2,500 | 16,000 |
| 180 | Tyler, The Creator | Goblin | 2,400 | 102,000 |
Will the clouds part on the charts for Slaine with A World With No Skies 2.0? Will 9th Wonder and Phonte’s help on Median’s The Sender send him some chart acknowledgement? Stay tuned to HipHopDX next week to find out.
