Chartwatch: Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Hits” Returns; Major Artists Get Grammy Sales Bumps

WHITNEY CDs FLY OFF SHELVES; ARTISTS GET A BOOST IN SALES FROM THE GRAMMY AWARDS

(Week Ending On 2/14/12)

Since storming the Grammys after her enormous year of success, worldwide star Adele claims the #1 spot on the charts for the 20th, yes 20th, week in a row after moving 242,000 copies of her 6x Platinum certified album 21 (XL Columbia). Ironically, this week Adele ties the record previously set by Whitney Houston whose soundtrack for the film, The Bodyguard, also spent 20 weeks at the top of the charts back in 1993.

After the unfortunate passing of Whitney Houston earlier this week, the singer claimed the #6 spot after moving just over 60,000 copies of her Greatest Hits (RCA) album.

After Sunday’s Grammys, a number of high-profile artists saw significant boosts in their sales such as Drake, Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, Jay-Z and Kanye West, and Beyonce.

Claiming the #10 spot on the charts is Drake’s Platinum-ceritifed Take Care (YM/CM/Universal) which saw a nine percent sales increase as the rapper and singer sold 31,927 copies of his sophomore album.

Rihanna claimed the #19 spot as her album Talk That Talk (Def Jam) saw a 10 percent sales increase and moved about 24,000 copies of her album. Coming in at #22 this week is Young Jeezy’s TM103 (Def Jam) which was certified Gold earlier this month. Jeezy’s fourth studio album sold 22,282 copies and saw a four percent increase in sales.

Having one of the 2011’s best artists and following his stealer Grammy performance, singer Bruno Mars saw the largest sales increase this week with 90 percent. His debut, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (New Elektra) sold 17,358 copies this week.

Both Lil Wayne’s most recent release and The Throne’s collaborative album saw sales increases of over 20 percent as Wayne’s Tha Carter IV (CM/Universal) moved 16,359 copies and Watch the Throne (RocNation/Roc-A-Fella) moved 15,802 copies. Both album’s have also been certified Platinum since their respective releases.

Lastly, new mom Beyonce saw a nine percent increase in sales of her album (Columbia) which claimed the #40 spot on the charts this week as she was able to move just over 13,000 copies.

Dropping This Week (2/14/12)

Producer Ski Beatz releases his third studio album, 24 Hour Karate School Presents Twilight. The album boasts appearances from the likes of Curren$y, Stalley, Trademark Da Skydiver, Smoke DZA, Murs, Mac Miller, and more.

Dropping Next Week (2/21/12)

Tyga will release his first studio album under Young Money Records entitled Careless World: Rise Of The Last King (YM/Universal). The album contains production from such heavy-hitters as Pharell, T-Minus, Boi-1da, J. Cole, Polow Da Don, and more. Guest verses on Careless World come from Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, Lil Wayne, Nas, Wale, J. Cole, and many more.

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