The official numbers are in as T.I. debuts at #2 with Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head, selling 179K units (ahead of his 150-175K projection). The other notable hip hop debut last week was Chief Keef, moving only the projected 50K, which is good for only #27 on the Billboard charts.
My assessment: strong numbers for T.I. and lacking for Chief Keef. Room for improvement, at least. What are your thoughts?
The projections for the albums released yesterday, December 18th, are in via HDD. And T.I. leads the way with 150-175K sold, with the other high-profile rap album coming from Chief Keef at a much tamer 50-55K. Not surprised by the numbers; good to see the King selling strong without a single that I feel was in the mainstream consciousness ("Ball" made its waves in the clubs, but I wouldn't say it's known to the very casual listener).
To recount the week that was prior: Bruno Mars' Unorthodox Jukebox debuted at #2 with 192K, Game's Jesus Piece at #5 with 87K, and Big Boi's Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors at #33 with 30K. How was Big Boi not higher?!
Dah well... The numbers are just numbers at the end of the day. It's by no means the end all, be all barometer.
