What’s the chart scoop this week? Kesha earns her second no. 1 album with ‘Rainbow,’ while “Despacito” scores a rare 15^th week at no. 1 on the Hot 100.  

Billboard 200 Grooves

In another slow sales week in August 2017, Kesha came out on top.  Rainbow, her third studio album, expectedly topped the Billboard 200 albums chart.  After no album reached six-figure units last week, Kesha does this week, with Rainbow moving 117,000 units. Here album sales were pretty robust as well, accounting for nearly 77% of that total.  Rainbow is her second no. 1 album, and also just her second top-five album.

Only one other new album joins Kesha in the top 10.  For most of us, it’s a surprise.  Moneybagg Yo (Who?) starts at no. 5 with Federal 3X.  His numbers weren’t groundbreaking, yet, better than expected for a relatively little-known rapper. 30,000 units. ‘Course, less than 50% of that total were sales.  Still, somebody streamed and bought Moneybagg Yo. In addition to the aforementioned new releases, there are more chart takeaways from the Billboard 200 dated September 2, 2017.

1. After a five-year hiatus, Kesha comes back in a big way with Rainbow, which easily debuts at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. Her “Praying” sure as heaven played off.

2. Khalid experiences his first week in the top-5. American Teen, which debuted at no. 9, ascends from no. 10 to no. 4 this week. Can you say, breakout star?

3. Sometimes, relatively unknown artists and albums ‘come up.’ That’s the case with Moneybagg Yo, who debuts at no. 5 with Federal 3X.

4. It’s a loss for Meek Mill this week as Wins and Losses slips from no. 4 to no. 12 in its fourth week on the charts.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2 ascends from no. 62 to no. 21 in its 17^th charting week.

6. Despite debuting at no. 1, Lana Del Rey is performing worse than the folks she beat out for no. 1. Lust for Life slips nine spots from no. 23 to no. 32 this week. Both Meek Mill (Wins and Losses) and Tyler, the Creator (Flower Boy) sit higher this week at nos. 12 and 26 respectively.

7. Logic (Everybody) gets a bump from no. 48 to no. 34 in its 15^th charting week. Likely, the boost is due to the growing popularity of “1-800-273-8255” which rises on the Hot 100.

8. Brett Eldredge experiences a tepid second week as his self-titled third album nosedives 37 spots from no. 2 to no. 39.

9. Lindsay Ell doesn’t have robust success with The Project, which starts modestly at no. 40.

10. Portugal. The Man sees Woodstock ascend 23 spots from no. 44 to no. 67. The set peaked at no. 32.

11. Some positive vibes for blackbear as digital druglord ascends 18 spots from no. 60 to no. 78. The set debuted/peaked at no. 14.

12. Bebe Rexha has a long way to go to pop superstardom. All Your Fault, Pt. 2 debuts mediocrely at no. 69. SUMMER. BUMMER.

13. The new Avicii EP, AVICI (01) (EP) debuts at no. 70.

14. Ugly God definitely doesn’t have angels on his side. Yes, Satan has him…well, we don’t know that. Anyways, The Booty Tape free falls from no. 27 to no. 81.  Ouch! No mo booty for you!

15. The final studio album by Glen Campbell, Adios, ascends from no. 136 to no. 98. The set debuted at no. 40.

Billboard Hot 100

The question now becomes will “Despacito” dethrone “One Sweet Day” for most weeks at no. 1 on the Hot 100?  This week, the unstoppable song by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber spent its 15^th consecutive week atop the Hot 100.  It’s possible, but doesn’t it seem that “Despacito” has gotten old? While DJ Khaled seems to be poised to end the run, the hottest single on the Hot 100 in regards to momentum comes from Cardi B with “Bodak Yellow.” Face it, them expensive shoes is making big moves that seems to lead inevitably to no. 1.  More takeaways of course from the Billboard Hot 100 dated September 2, 2017.

1. Yes, “Despacito” is still king. Next.

2. “Despacito” still wears the crown, but Cardi B wants it. “Bodak Yellow” seems like an inevitable no. 1 single sooner than later. This week, it ascends from no. 8 to no. 3.

3. Liam Payne is going up. “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo ascends to a new peak position, no. 13.

4. Niall Horan adds to the solo/lead artist hits by One Direction. “Slow Hands” ascends two spots from no. 17 to no. 15.

5. Kesha sees “Praying” ascend two spots from no. 24 to no 22.

6. P!nk jumps 53 spots with “What About Us” (no. 82 to no. 29).

7. Bruno Mars is on the rise with “Versace on the Floor,” which reaches a new peak at no. 33.

8. Logic has a hit on his hands. “1-800-273-8255” featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid rises 13 spots from no. 50 to no. 37.

9. Marshmello is making moves on the Hot 100 with “Silence” (featuring Khalid), which debuts at no. 42.

10. Thomas Rhett gets a boost with “Unforgettable,” which ascends from no. 86 to no. 73.

Photo Credit: Kemosabe