Ariana Grande Sweetens Her Way to No. 1 | Chart Happenings

Ariana Grande (‘Sweetener’) and Drake (“In My Feelings”) represent the biggest charts happenings on Chart Happenings #7.   

So, I toyed with the idea of penning chart happenings #7 last week.  After all, Nicki Minaj wasn’t a “happy camper” when her album Queen failed to debut at no. 1.  In the end, I was too busy to even discuss the pettiness, so I didn’t.  But, wanting to keep this meaningless column going on the semi-regular, I’m back, writing about the biggest chart happening on the Billboard 200 dated September 1, 2018 – Ariana Grande’s most recent no. 1 album.  Without further ado, here’s my BS… I mean chart happenings #7.

1.Ariana Grande didn’t seem to have any problems landing her third no. 1 album with Sweetener.  Yeah, I’m throwing shade at Nicki Minaj – I admit it.  She moved a respectable 231,000 units, second only to Cardi B when it comes to female debuts in 2018.  For reference, Nicki Minaj moved just 185,000 units of Queen the week prior.

2. Drake continues to dominated the Billboard Hot 100. “In My Feelings” remains at no. 1 for a seventh consecutive week. “Kiki, do you love me?”

3.Ariana Grande also makes her impact on the Billboard Hot 100.  Both “No Tears Left to Cry” and “God is a Woman” reenter the top 10 (nos. 7 and 8 respectively).  Grande also sees “Breathin” (no. 22), “Sweetener” (no. 55), “Everytime” (no. 62), “R.E.M” (no. 72), “Goodnight N Go” (no. 87), and “Pete Davidson” (no. 99) chart.

4.Grande wasn’t the sole debut in the top ten.  Cole Swindell debuted at no. 7 with All of It, while compilation Young Stoner Life: Slime Language landed at no. 8.

5. What about the top-10 leftovers? Travis Scott sees ASTROWORLD fall from no. 1 to no. 2, while the upset Nick Minaj falls only one spot from no. 2 to no. 3.  She may not be the Queen of the charts, but she still had the third most impactful album this week. Isn’t that worth something? Naturally Drake (Scorpion), Post Malone (Beerbongs & Bentleys), Juice WRLD (Goodbye & Good Riddance), and Cardi B (Invasion of Privacy) remain top-10 mainstays.  Aretha Franklin also spends a second week in the top 10 with 30 Greatest Hits.

6. Other Billboard 200 notes.  Death Cab for Cutie debut mediocrely at no. 13 with Thank You for Today.  They’ve definitely posted better starts in the past.  Ninja Sex Party launches at no. 21 with Cool Patrol, just missing the top 20.  Blue October lands at no. 28 with I Hope You’re Happy.  Hmm, they can’t be too thrilled with only a top-30 debut… Same can be said of Amine, whose ONEPOINTFIVE debuts modestly at no. 53.

Photo Credits: Atlantic, Cash Money, Epic, Republic, Warner Music Nashville