Jun 18 2008 10:18 PM ET

Lil Wayne scores first million-unit album debut in three years

Tags: ,

Lilwayne2_l

Many music-biz types were convinced we’d never again see an album sell a million copies in a week. It hadn’t happened since 50 Cent’s The Massacre topped the mark in 2005. Yet Lil Wayne is proof that if you build something fans truly want, even in the depressed market of 2008, they will come. His Tha Carter III (No. 1) exceeded all projections by selling just a hair over 1 million units — particularly impressive considering that the rapper’s previous best sales week was a mere 238,000.

That huge debut left Plies’ Definition of Real looking like small potatoes at No. 2 with 215,000 units — a figure that usually would be more than enough to top the Nielsen Soundscan/Billboard chart. But they weren’t the only new releases worth mentioning. N.E.R.D.’s long-awaited Seeing Sounds debuted at No. 7 with 80,000, followed by Alanis Morissette’s Flavors of Entanglement at No. 8 with 70,000. Critical and festival favorite My Morning Jacket made a first-time appearance in the top 10 of the album chart by selling 49,000 and coming in at No. 9. Other debuts of note included country duo Montgomery Gentry at No. 20 (27,000 copies), Emmylou Harris at No. 22 (also 27,000), the first solo effort from Jakob Dylan at No. 24 (24,000), and the iCarly soundtrack at No. 28 (20,000).

In the singles world, Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” held onto the top spot
on the digital songs chart…and for the first time in their career,
the British foursome also took control of the Hot 100, which combines
sales and airplay. Next week, they’re expected to easily top the album
chart as well. Based on Tuesday’s first day of sales, Viva la Vida, the band’s fourth album, should
sell some 600,000 copies. Though iTunes doesn’t usually release its
sales figures, the online music store took the unusual step of announcing that the album
sold 140,000 on that site just on its first day. That shatters the
iTunes record for sales in an entire week, previously held by Jack Johnson — and there are six days
still left to go. For the hangdog music biz, June really is bustin’ out
all over.

In the singles world, Coldplay’s "Viva la Vida" held onto the top spoton the digital songs chart…and for the first time in their career,the British foursome also took control of the Hot 100, which combinessales and airplay. Next week, they’re expected to easily top the albumchart as well. Based on Tuesday’s first day of sales, Viva la Vida, the band’s fourth album, shouldsell some 600,000 copies. Though iTunes doesn’t usually release itssales figures, the online music store took the unusual step of announcing that the albumsold 140,000 on that site just on its first day. That shatters theiTunes record for sales in an entire week, previously held by Jack Johnson — and there are six daysstill left to go. For the hangdog music biz, June really is bustin’ outall over.

Comments (110 total) Add your comment
Page: 1 2 3 8
  • A&R Mike Admani

    There’s been a changing of the guard. Lil Wayne officially takes his throne. Now all we have to do is keep him out of jail and make sure we don’t tear him down too quickly.
    Mikeadmani.com

  • A&R Mike Admani

    There’s been a changing of the guard. Lil Wayne officially takes his throne. Now all we have to do is keep him out of jail and make sure we don’t tear him down too quickly.
    Mikeadmani.com

  • Gabe

    Lil Wayne is garbage, anybody who bought this album needs to murder themselves.

  • ben

    No way Little Wayne is garbage, he is a true artist. And the way he’s built his success through modern technology is a success story that will hopefully be replicated by talent throughout the world i the coming years.
    These album sales only confirm to the dinosaurs in the archaic “music” industry what his fans aready knew.

  • animation

    DON’T HATE THE PLAYA….. HATE THE GAME!

  • Jay

    Gabe. Stop talking your name is gabe. You know what Babe Ruth’s gay brother’s name was? Gabe Ruth. Weeezzzy Babbby

  • 505sFinest

    This cd is trash. Weezy is the best rapper in the game right now, but I would have rather spent the 17 bones on toilet paper than this album. The hype was with The Leak and all the other hard songs released prior to this cd. Oh well, at least now I have an expensive coaster for my Tequila sunrise. Maybe too much father kissing made this N O boy soft as baby poop…

  • Music-lover

    No one seems to think about the fact that these gangster rappers are using dirty money to buy all their records and reselling them in the hoods for food purchased with welfare. This way can can control more of the music industry and get large checks back from the sale of their albums.

  • josh

    wats up..cuz you my favorite rapper..hook me up with that tha carter 3

  • greene

    You haters make me sick, probably just listened to the first minute of each song. This music isn’t for old white men anyway. It is a testament ot how hard working this artist is, putting out underground singles every week and new platinum record. Young money baby!

  • ALEXdaman

    I did not buy the album . I think its not really worth it . Dont get me wrong He does have some good songs on their but not worth buyin the whole thing. I am the person who downloads music so there is no point on spendin whole bunch of money for couple good songs. I got love for Weezy for making money and doing his thing but he is not the best rapper at all.

  • tommy

    Wayne deserves these sale, I have never seen an artist work as ard and put so much work in between albums as he has, and not just for hip hop for any area of music, and after dropping all those mix cd’s he still put together a fire album. If yall cant see that something is wrong, like jay-z asked “do you fools listen to music or do you just scan through it” cause if you listened to the carte 3 and any of the mix cd’s you cant deny wayne is killing these other arists and deserves every single sale

  • Da Game

    U SUCK LIL WAYNE >

  • Yasmine

    I just don’t understand the hype that surrounds this character? The melodies are the highlight, that’s about it. The leading song ‘Lollipop’ I really thing that the flow and the beat/melody is tight, but I have trouble listening to this because of its lyrics!

  • Da Game

    Yall are all gay

Page: 1 2 3 8
Add your comment
The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject - or we may delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.

When you click on the "Post Comment" button above to submit your comments, you are indicating your acceptance of and are agreeing to the Terms of Service. You can also read our Privacy Policy.

Advertisement
  1. Tuesday, May 1
    1. The Biggest Loser NBC, 8-9PM
  2. Friday, May 4
    1. In Plain Sight USA, 10-11PM
  3. Sunday, May 6
    1. The Amazing Race CBS, 8-10PM
    2. GCB NBC, 10-11PM
  4. Monday, May 7
    1. Two Broke Girls CBS, 8-9PM
    2. Castle ABC, 10-11PM
  5. Tuesday, May 8
    1. Last Man Standing ABC, 8-8:30PM
    2. The Voice NBC, 8-10PM
    3. New Girl FOX, 9-9:31PM
    4. Unforgettable CBS, 10-11PM
  6. Wednesday, May 9
    1. CSI CBS, 10-11PM
  7. Thursday, May 10
    1. The Big Bang Theory CBS, 8-8:31PM
    2. The Vampire Diaries The CW, 8-9PM
    3. The Office NBC, 9-9:30PM
    4. The Secret Circle The CW, 9-10PM
    5. Parks and Recreation NBC, 9:30-10PM
  8. Friday, May 11
    1. The Finder FOX, 8-9PM
    2. Undercover Boss CBS, 8-9PM
    3. Fringe FOX, 9-10PM
    4. CSI: NY CBS, 9-10PM
    5. Blue Bloods CBS, 10-11PM
  9. Sunday, May 13
    1. Once Upon A Time ABC, 8-9PM
    2. Survivor: One World CBS, 8-10PM
    3. Desperate Housewives ABC, 9-11PM, SERIES FINALE
    4. American Dad FOX, 9:30-10PM
  10. Monday, May 14
    1. Bones FOX, 8-9PM
    2. How I Met Your Mother CBS, 8-9PM
    3. Gossip Girl The CW, 8-9PM
    4. Two and a Half Men CBS, 9-9:30PM
    5. Hart of Dixie The CW, 9-10PM
    6. Mike & Molly CBS, 9:30-10PM
    7. Hawaii Five-0 CBS, 10-11PM
    8. Smash NBC, 10-11PM
  11. Tuesday, May 15
    1. 90210 The CW, 8-9PM
    2. Cougar Town ABC, 8-9PM
    3. NCIS CBS, 8-9PM
    4. NCIS: Los Angeles CBS, 9-11PM
    5. Fashion Star NBC, 10-11PM
    6. Private Practice ABC, 10-11PM
  12. Wednesday, May 16
    1. Suburgatory ABC, 8:30-9PM
    2. Criminal Minds CBS, 9-11PM
  13. Thursday, May 17
    1. Missing ABC, 8-9PM
    2. Community NBC, 8-8:30PM, 9-10PM
    3. 30 Rock NBC, 8:30-9PM
    4. Rules of Engagement CBS, 8:30-9PM
    5. Awake NBC, 9-11PM
    6. Grey's Anatomy ABC, 9-10PM
    7. Person of Interest CBS, 9-10PM
    8. The Mentalist CBS, 10-11PM
    9. Scandal ABC, 10-11PM
  14. Friday, May 18
    1. Nikita The CW, 8-9PM
    2. Shark Tank ABC, 8-9PM
    3. Who Do You Think You Are NBC, 8-9PM
    4. Grimm NBC, 9-10PM
    5. Supernatural The CW, 9-10PM
  15. Saturday, May 19
    1. Saturday Night Live NBC, 11:29PM-1AM
  16. Sunday, May 20
    1. America's Funniest Home Videos ABC, 7-8PM
    2. The Cleveland Show FOX, 7:30-8PM
    3. Harry's Law NBC, 8-9PM
    4. The Simpsons FOX, 8-8:30PM
    5. Bob's Burgers FOX, 8:30-9PM
    6. Celebrity Apprentice NBC, 9-11PM
    7. Family Guy FOX, 9-10PM
  17. Monday, May 21
    1. Dancing With the Stars (Performance) ABC, 8-9PM
    2. House FOX, 8-10PM, SERIES FINALE
  18. Tuesday, May 22
    1. American Idol (Performance) FOX, 8-9PM
    2. Dancing With the Stars (Results) ABC, 9-11PM
    3. Glee FOX, 9-10PM
  19. Wednesday, May 23
    1. The Middle ABC, 8-8:30PM
    2. American Idol (Results) FOX, 8-10:07PM
    3. Modern Family ABC, 9-9:30PM
    4. Don't Trust the B— ABC, 9:30-10PM
    5. Revenge ABC, 10-11PM
    6. Law & Order: SVU NBC, 10-11PM
  20. Thursday, May 24
    1. Awake NBC, 10-11PM
  21. Tuesday, May 29
    1. Cougar Town ABC, 8-9PM
    2. The L.A. Complex The CW, 9-10PM
  22. Wednesday, May 30
    1. America's Next Top Model: British Invasion The CW, 9-10PM
*Times are Eastern Daylight and subject to change

TV Recaps

Powered by WordPress.com VIP