Weakend Chart Preview

Sony Music returns to the top of the chart next week after being unseated by Universal Music for the past five weeks. The first third of 2012 has been dominated by both music groups during the 17-week span with Columbia Records, specifically, holding down the lead for 12 of those weeks. Columbia, which may have three in this week's Top 5, will score a 13th week at the top as Jack White debuts #1, the first ever for the guitar god, even as a member of White Stripes. For now at least, it looks as though Sony could remain in the pole position for a little longer as Carrie Underwood (19/RCA) is set to debut on top in two weeks and will likely hold there for a few charts. Here's how it looks headed into the weekend:

*Jack White (Third Man/Columbia) 120-130k
Adele (XL/Columbia) 85-90k
Lionel Richie (Mercury Nashville) 80-85k
One Direction (Syco/Columbia) 40-45k
Nicki Minaj (YM/CM/Universal Republic) 35-40k
*Lee Brice (Curb) 35-40k
Jason Mraz (Atlantic) 35-40k
*Kip Moore (MCA Nashville) 35-40k
Gotye (Fairfax/Universal Republic) 30-35k
*The Wanted (Mercury/IDJ) 30-35k
The Black Keys (Nonesuch) 27-30k
Train (Columbia) 27-30k
Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville/EMI) 24-27k
*Josh Abbott Band (Pretty Damn Tough) 21-24k
Bonnie Raitt (Redwing) 18-21k
Think Like a Man (Epic) 17-20k

*Debuts (4/26p)