RUMOR MILL
Actually, it will be a three-way race for the top with the surging Disney Records' Hannah Montana soundtrack having an outside shot at springing the upset and giving the House of Mouse three of the top albums of 2007.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
JEEZY, HICKS VIE FOR TOP SPOT, BUT DON'T COUNT OUT HANNAH
Atlanta Rapper and Idol Winner Go At It for #1
In a week that features the release of albums by two past American Idol winners, an Atlanta rapper may well steal the thunder.
Young Jeezy's Def Jam/IDJ album The Inspiration looks headed for the #1 spot on next week's HITS Top 50 with between 325-350k, but don't count out American Idol winner Taylor Hicks' RCA/RMG debut, either, which looks like 300k now, though it could go higher based on weekend sales.
That's the word from our crack staff of retail gurus nationwide. At least those who haven't fled for the hills just yet. Actually, it will be a three-way race for the top with the surging Disney Records' Hannah Montana soundtrack having an outside shot at springing the upset and giving the House of Mouse three of the top albums of 2007 alongside High School Musical and Lyric Street's Rascal Flatts. Hey, it good to be Bob Cavallo.
Other newcomers who'll make some noise include yet another former Idol winner in Fantasia's self-titled J Records follow-up to her multi-platinum debut, which could hit the 150k mark. Multi-Grammy nominee Mary J. Blige is back with a Geffen greatest hits collection which includes four new songs, on target for the 130k range, while RCA's Tyrese is looking at a number north of 100k for his bow as rapper Black Ty. Has this guy ever heard of Chris Gaines? Thought not. Def Jam/IDJ's Wu Tang Clan alum Ghostface Killah could also make some noise with his dense street-savvy rap narratives.
The holiday-fueled market was up more than 25% vs last week, down almost 2% vs. same week last year and now down 4.5% year-to-date.
