Billboard: Frank Ocean Easily Debuts at No. 1

On the Billboard 200 dated September 10, 2016, Frank Ocean easily nabs the no. 1-spot with his sophomore album, Blonde. 

Frank Ocean debuts big

After finally releasing his highly anticipated sophomore album, Blonde, it was expected that  Frank Ocean would debut handsomely atop the Billboard 200.  That’s exactly what happened.  Blonde moved 276,000 units, with a robust 84% of those units being pure sales (232,000 copies according to Billboard).  Blonde gives Ocean his first no. 1 album on the Billboard 200 – Channel Orange started at no. 2 back in 2012.

Drake & Suicide Squad Remain Hot

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Unsurprisingly, Drake plays the role of bridesmaid.  Despite the fact that Views sits at no. 2 for the fourth consecutive week, the gap between it and Blonde is gargantuan.  With Blonde moving 276,000 units, it impacts nearly 200,000 units more than Views, which moved 77,000 units.  Interestingly, Suicide Squad: The Album pushed Views for the no. 2-spot, losing by ~1,000 units.  No. 3 isn’t bad, particularly after two weeks atop the charts.

Tory Lanez & Lindsey Stirling

Tory Lanez (I Told You) seemed to be this week’s biggest story until Frank Ocean returned.  Lanez wouldn’t have beat Drake or Suicide Squad judging by his no. 4 with 52,000 units.  About 62% of that total were comprised of pure sales, a far cry off from Frank Ocean’s pure sales (~200,000 copies).  Apparently, that “Cold Hard Love” just wasn’t enough to get more folks in Lanez’ corner.

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Lanez wasn’t the only newbie not named Frank Ocean.  Lindsey Stirling debuted at no. 5, not far behind Lanez in impact (49,000 units). Brave Enough actually outsold I Told You easily. Still, streaming has a big impact on the Billboard 200, hence, the difference between chart positions.

The Usual Suspects

Beyond the newbies, Drake, and Suicide Squad, the artists and albums that fill out the top 10 won’t shock a soul.  Twenty One Pilots (Blurryface), Adele (25), and Rihanna (Anti) continue to hold serve in the top echelon of the charts.  A surprising mainstay has been DJ Khaled, whose Major Key spends its fourth week in the top 10 (no. 9).  Hamilton is the final piece of the puzzle – again, not shocking.

Who’s Got Next? 

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Who’s got next on the Billboard 200? Three names and their respective new albums come to mind.  Britney Spears (Glory), Florida Georgia Line (Dig Your Roots), and Barbra Streisand (Encore).  Early indications, according to Hits Daily Double, suggests Dig Your Roots, Encore, and Glory could debut in that order (nos. 1, 2, and 3).  Most surprising is the fact that Spears is behind… All three albums look like they will move more than 100,000 units.  Spears’ pure sales could fall short of 100,000 copies based upon early prognostications.

Photo Credit: Boys Don’t Cry