What’s the chart scoop this week? Lana del Rey narrowly beats Tyler, the Creator for no. 1 on the Billboard 200.  “Despacito” is STILL no. 1 on the Hot 100.  

Billboard 200 Grooves

It was an eventful week on the Billboard 200 this week.  Lana Del Rey rarely comes over as the happiest artist in the game, but she must be thrilled to see that her Lust for Life paid off.  Yes, Lust for Life debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200, moving a respectable 107,000 units. Of that total, nearly 75% were album sales.  While Lust for Life gave Del Rey her second no. 1 album (Ultraviolence, 2014), it wasn’t her best sales week.

Del Rey beat out the Flower Boy himself, Tyler, the Creator, who feel just short at no. 2 moving 106,000 units.  His album sales were less notable than his nearest competition as well, but 66% worth of albums sales is solid for a rap album.  Poor Meek Mill found himself suffered a loss this week.  Wins and Losses settled for the bronze metal, moving 87,000 units with a lackluster ~52% sales. Still, in regards to top-three debuts, he’s had them on lockdown throughout his short career.

Some other newbies arrived Descendants 2 soundtrack (no. 6) and Romeo Santos (Golden, no. 10). Also noteworthy is the surge of Linkin Park, with two notable top-10 re-entries: One More Light (no. 4) and Hybrid Theory (no. 8).  Otherwise, the names are familiar: Kendrick Lamar (DAMN.), Jay-Z (4:44), and DJ Khaled (Grateful).  That’s a lot background on the Billboard 200 top 10 this week, and there are even more takeaways for the chart dated August 12, 2017.

1. The Lust for Life is real for Lana Del Rey. Her fourth full-length album ekes out the alternative singer’s second no. 1 album.

2. That Scum F*ck Flower Boy Tyler, the Creator can move some albums! He narrowly missed out on the no. 1 spot thanks to Ms. “Summer Bummer.”

3. Okay, okay. Debuting at no. 3 doesn’t technically qualify as a loss, but then again, Meek Mill (Wins and Losses) couldn’t beat out Lana Del Rey or Tyler, Creator, so…

4. Linkin Park has a big week throughout the Billboard 200 chart, with numerous albums ascending, unfortunately for a sad occasion. One More Light, the most recent album by the band, ascends from no. 17 to no 4 in its ninth charting week. Hybrid Theory jumps from no. 27 to no. 8 in its 171^st week.  Meteora just misses the top ten as it rises from no. 42 to no. 11.  Minutes to Midnight soars from no. 115 to no. 27.  Living Things reenters the charts at no. 80. Collision Course (with Jay-Z) reenters at no. 116. A Thousand Suns reenters at no. 117.  The Hunting Party gets in on the action at no. 184.

5. Descends 2 soundtrack debuts at no. 6.

6. Jay-Z sees 4:44 slip in its third week from no. 1 to no. 7.

7. Romeo Santos launches at no. 10 with Golden.

8. After two weeks spent in the top five, 21 Savage sees Issa Album slide from no. 5 to no. 12.

9. NAV and Metro Boomin start at no. 13 with Perfect Timing.

10. Nine Inch Nails Add Violence to the top 20 of the Billboard 200 at no. 17.

11. French Montana takes a tumble in week two as Jungle Rules slips from no. 3 to no. 19.

12. In This Moment starts at no. 23 with Ritual.

13. Sara Evans starts modestly at no. 46 with Words.

14. Also starting modestly are Foster the People, who see Sacred Hearts Club launch at no. 47.

15. Perhaps Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley has just been M.I.A. for too long. Stoney Hill debuts quietly at no. 65.

16. Tyga lands at no. 139 with the charmingly titled B*tch I’m the Shit 2. Unfortunately, in regards to sales and streams, Tyga is most definitely not the shit.

Billboard Hot 100 Jewels 

No need for extended analysis here.  It’s “Despacito” folks.  But, there are other takeaways from the Hot 100 dated August 12, 2017.

1. Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber have this thing on lock down for a 12^th consecutive week. “Despacito,” much like Bad Boy, “don’t stop.”

2. Imagine Dragons done slipped into the top five with “Believer” (rises from no. 7 to no. 5). We never lost faith.

3. Charlie Puth continues to have our full, undivided attention. “Attention” ascends from no. 10 to no. 9.

4. Liam Payne has won over the world – or at least radio, streaming, and sales with “Strip that Down.” This week, the Quavo assisted single ascends nine spots from no. 25 to no. 16. Take that Harry Styles!

5. 21 Savage is on the rise with “Bank Account,” ascending from no. 34 to no. 21.

6. Cardi B is coming up with “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” ascending from no. 49 to no. 28 in its fourth week.

7. Linkin Park reenters the Hot 100 with “Numb” at no. 34. Originally, the single peaked at no. 11. Other singles, including “In the End” and “Heavy” also reenter the Hot 100.

8. Louis Tomlinson debuts at no. 40 with his debut single as a lead artist, “Back to You,” featuring Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals.

9. Meek Mill gets a lift as “Whatever You Need” ascends from no. 89 to no. 51. “Issues” (no. 77) and “Wins & Losses” (no. 79) are among debuts for the rapper this week.

10. Romeo Santos gets in on the debut action with “Imitadora,” which lands at no. 91.

Photo Credit: Interscope, Columbia, Atlantic