Billboard 200: Drake Brings ‘More Life’ To No. 1

Expectedly, Drake earns another no. 1 album with his playlist, ‘More Life.’ Rick Ross (Rather You Than Me) and Depeche Mode (Spirit) debut in the top five.

Drake has done it again – earned the no. 1 spot on the Billboard 200.  His playlist-album More Life easily takes top honors, to the tune of 505,000 units.  Streaming played a huge role in More Life’s totals, but the album still sold a robust 226,000 copies in pure sales according to Billboard.  Still, figure up the percentage, and More Life sold less than 50% of its total (~45%).

Beyond More Life, the top 10 got a boost with several other new albums.  Rick Ross joins the party at no. 3 with Rather You Than Me, moving a respectable 106,000 units (66% of that total comprised of pure sales).  Ross’ last two albums have now missed the top-five.  That said, the start of Rather You Than Me is an improvement over the underperforming Mastermind, which happened to be the rapper’s second album of 2014.

Depeche Mode also gets into the top-five action.  Spirit lands at no. 5 with a strong 64,000 units start.  Most of that total – ~97%  – are pure sales.  It’s not surprising that Spirit sold well for Depeche Mode.  Veteran acts tend to sell better than they stream for numerous reasons.  Honestly, how many younger listeners are into Depeche Mode? Even though they should be, an older fan base was more likely to partake of the veteran electronic rock band.

The rest of the top 10 is familiar.  Ed Sheeran continues to put up solid numbers with ÷, holding off Rick Ross from the no. 2 spot. The Beauty and the Beast soundtrack retains a spot in the top five.  Soundtracks have been on a roll throughout the course of 2017. Beyond Ed Sheeran and Beauty and the Beast, Bruno Mars (24K Magic), Future (Future), The Weeknd (Starboy), and Migos (Culture) hold down the rest of the top 10.  Future’s second album of 2017, HNDRXX, exits the top 10.

So, who’s got next on the Billboard 200? Drake should continue to impact the top of the charts, but Trey Songz should debut well with Tremaine the Album.  Beyond Tremaine, things are quieter.  RaeLynn (WildHorse) and Mansionz (Mansionz) will end up somewhere on the Billboard 200, but the question is where.  Ultimately, bet on Drake and Trey Songz.

Photo Credit: Cash Money