The debate as to whether charts do, or don't lie, rages on. On one hand, there are the numbers themselves. As to what they mean is a subjective matter. That said there is the argument that the numbers are incorrect. Weighted sales are one such issue. Particularly problematic in the late 90’s, weighted sales were a questionable algorithm included in Soundscan’s overall equation. It meant that because not every store signed up with Soundscan others were given increased numbers to balance the scales. This issue continues to exist, but less so since digital stores opened up. Having replaced nearly a quarter of the market share this year already, the math has become more fact than theory thanks to the internet. So with the education out of the way let’s move onto the entertainment:
1) Slaughterhouse – Welcome to: Our House: With 50,995 albums sold in their first week they’ve already trounced the overall sales of their introductory release. Thus signing up with Shady is paying off, even if it hasn’t done so with gold and platinum records just yet.
2.) Trey Songz – Chapter V: Trigga continues to sit in Billboard’s top 3 for another week; although he does so with only 38,768 additional units. Like his predecessors Usher and Chris Brown, he is beginning to see that R&B is more blues than anything as of late.
3.) 2 Chainz – Based On A T.R.U. Story: Not only does he still have R&B/Hip Hop’s number one single, he is also pushing numbers continuously. In three weeks he has sold over 200,000 copies of his solo debut - with the aid of another 28,343 in the last week.
4.) Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don’t: Adding 19,851 to his tally, Ross’ race to gold slows a bit, but overall it seems certain. Plus with two Top 5 features “Bag of Money” and “Lemme See” he is proving to be the powerhouse his stature’s always suggested.
5.) DJ Khaled – Kiss The Ring: Def Jam South’s president moved another 13,149 records. Enough to keep him here for another week. And with nothing major having released this week he may hold on for one more.
In related news French Montana’s “Pop That” cracked the R&B/Hip Hop top 10 singles. And here’s a broken record… Flo Rida’s “Whistle” is still rap’s most streamed song. Speaking of streaming, it’s interesting to note that hip hop songs often are among the "Most Increased Streams", but rarely on the "Top 10 (Volume)" charts. This speaks to the attitude of the fans that love a song for a moment, and are onto the next one. If rap is going to make its numerical mark, lasting impressions need to be made and enduring fans need to rise. To put it plainly, we need something we can count on.
