Billboard: The Weeknd Returns ‘Starboy’ to no. 1

The Weeknd returns to no. 1 on the Billboard 200 with ‘Starboy’ during a slow sales week.  Migos ascend to no. 1 on the Hot 100 with “Bad and Boujee.”

Weeks removed from the no. 1 bow of Starboy, The Weeknd reclaims the throne in a lackadaisical week.  The numbers are so-so, mustering up just 69,000 units.  Interestingly, Billboard notes that Starboy sold just 18,000 copies.  That’s roughly 26% of the aforementioned! Nonetheless, The Weeknd replaces Pentatonix atop the Billboard 200 (A Pentatonix Christmas).  Interestingly, Starboy had competition for no. 1.  The Moana soundtrack moves to the no. 2-spot.  Moving 64,000 units, while it trailed Starboy overall, it easily outsold the LP.

The rest of the top five is familiar. It comprises of Bruno Mars (24K Magic), Drake (Views), and J. Cole (4 Your Eyez Only) at nos. 3 through 5.  Hamilton and twenty one pilots (Blurryface) continue to be hot, followed by three consecutive soundtracks.  Of those soundtracks, Sing sees its stock rise the most, earning a spot in the top 10 for the first time.

Ultimately, it’s a quiet week on the Billboard 200. Unfortunately, there are no major releases to supercharge it next week, unless a Halestorm EP can get it done.  Likely, it will take a while for the Billboard 200 to get is groove back.

Things are grooving on the Billboard Hot 100.  After returning to no. 1, Rae Sremmurd (“Black Beatles”) have been booted from the no. 1 spot again. Migos, assisted by Lil Uzi Vert,  earns their first no. 1 hit with “Bad and Boujee.” Arguably a song like “Bad and Boujee” doesn’t scream no. 1 hit initially, but one listen to the explicit banger, and its infectiousness unveils itself.

Photo Credit: Republic