Billboard 200 Grooves: Pentatonix Takes ‘Christmas’ to No. 1

After weeks of extreme flirtation with the top spot, Pentatonix sees Christmas album A Pentatonix Christmas rise to no. 1 on the Billboard 200.

It was bound to happen.  What prey tell? After weeks of extreme flirtation, Pentatonix finally reach no. 1 on the Billboard with their latest Christmas album, A Pentatonix Christmas.  A Pentatonix Christmas put up some robust numbers, to the tune of 206,000 units (~90% pure sales). A Pentatonix Christmas, isn’t the sole Pentatonix album gracing the top five.  That’s Christmas to Me remained at no. 5, sans the six-figure numbers posted by the new Christmas affair.  There are more notable stories and takeaways beyond the domination of Pentatonix on the Billboard 200 dated January 7, 2017.

1. Pentatonix has another robust sales week overall on the Billboard 200. A Pentatonix Christmas ascends from no. 2 to no. 1, while That’s Christmas to Me remains firmly planted at no. 5. Their self-titled album also sees an improvement (no. 99 to no. 46).

2. Bruno Mars sees 24K Magic improve two spots from no. 4 to no. 2.

3. J. Cole slips from no. 1 to no. 4 with 4 Your Eyez Only.

4. Garth Brooks sees The Ultimate Collection ascend seven spots from no. 13 to no. 6. The Ultimate Hits jumps from no. 94 to no. 14.

5. Metallica reenters the top 10 with Hardwired…to Self-Destruct (no. 11 to no. 8).

6. The Rolling Stones spends a third week in the top 10 with Blue & Lonesome, rising from no. 10 to no. 9 this week.

7. Kid Cudi just misses the top 10 with his latest album Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’, which starts at no. 11.

8. Gucci Mane sees The Return of East Atlanta Santa debut at no. 16. The Return of East Atlanta Santa was available exclusively for streaming and digital download on Apple Music and iTunes.

9. Adele reenters the top 20 with 25 (no. 23 to no. 18).

10. Post Malone sees Stoney descend from no. 6 to no. 23.

11. Childish Gambino continues to slide down the chart with “Awaken, My Love!” (no. 20 to no. 27).

12. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story soundtrack debuts at no. 29 on the Billboard 200.

13. Nine Inch Nails new EP, Not the Actual Events, debuts modestly at no. 31.

14. Tony Bennett’s newest album, Tony Bennett Celebrates 90, debuts quietly at no. 35.

15. Michael Buble gets a lift this week as Nobody but Me rises from no. 70 to no. 36.

16. John Legend continues his descent down the chart with Darkness and Light (no. 29 to no. 40).

17. The Lox chart their first album after an extended hiatus, Filthy America…It’s Beautiful, at no. 42.

18. Grace VanderWaal gets a lift this week with Perfectly Imperfect (no. 53 to no. 43).

19. Jason Aldean sees a rare spike in sales for They Don’t Know (no. 88 to no. 50). They Don’t Know wasn’t released to streaming services.

20. Panic! At The Disco (Death of a Bachelor) experiences a 22-spot jump this week (no. 83 to no. 61).

21. A tale of two different country artists going two different directions. Kenny Chesney moves up 26 spots with Cosmic Hallelujah (no. 89 to no. 63), while Kane Brown slides 17 spots with Kane Brown (no. 47 to no. 64).

22. Prince gets a lift with 4Ever, which rises from no. 91 to no. 67.

23. Sing soundtrack moves up 43 spots from no. 113 to no. 70.

24. Brett Eldredge free falls with Glow (no. 39 to no. 75).

25. Leonard Cohen (You Want it Darker) slips 27 spots from no. 55 to no. 82.

26. Alicia Keys gets a much-needed boost in sales for Here, which improves from no. 141 to no. 86.

27. 16-year old Jackie Evancho sees Someday at Christmas improve 90 spots (no. 183 to no. 93).

28. La La Land soundtrack improves from no. 118 to no. 95.

29. Kanye West slips out of the top 100 with The Life of Pablo (no. 69 to no. 101).

30. Tech N9ne had a horrid sophomore week. The Storm slides from no. 12 to no. 109.

Photo Credit: RCA