Billboard: A Tribe Called Quest Debuts at No. 1

Billboard 200: A Tribe Called Quest takes We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service to no. 1.   

A Tribe Called Quest did something special. First, they released their first album in 18 years, We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service.  Secondly, the said album debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200.  We Got It From Here… moved 135,000 units, with nearly 83% of that total being pure sales. Beyond A Tribe Called Quest, only one other new album debuts in the top 10.  That album comes by way of Sting – 57^th & 9^th.  57^th & 9^th debuts at no. 9 to the tune of 28,000 units (96% pure sales).

The rest of the top 10 is formulated based upon trends.  Pentatonix have the “hot hand” when it comes to Christmas albums as A Pentatonix Christmas ascends to no. 2.  Despite the rise of the LP, Pentatonix were no match for A Tribe Called Quest.  Trolls also continues to thrive given the release of the album (no. 3).

Rae Sremmurd have become “hot” again, thanks to “Black Beatles.” This hotness propels the duo to no. 4 with Sremmlife 2.  Leonard Cohen re-enters the top 10 following his death.  You Want It Darker reaches no. 7. Other names aren’t shocking.  Drake (Views), Hamilton, and Suicide Squad: The Album all occupy spots in the top echelon.  The Chainsmokers secure a second week in the top 10 with Collage EP.

Who’s got next on the Billboard 200? Bruno Mars (24K Magic), Metallica (Hardwired…to Self-Destruct), and Miranda Lambert (The Weight of These Wings) are clear frontrunners.  Early indications suggest Metallica will debut at no. 1.  Even so, Bruno Mars will likely post robust numbers, even if he ends up settling for no. 2.  Miranda Lambert can’t be counted out either. The same can’t be said for efforts from DNCE (DNCE) or Highly Suspect (The Boy Who Died Wolf).

Photo Credit: Epic