Travis Scott’s second-week number was in fact big enough to keep Nicki Minaj from debuting at #1 on our Top 50 Chart. The widely applauded Cactus Jack/Grand Hustle/Epic set, Astroworld, which earned the year’s second biggest bow (with 553k) a week ago, tacks on an additional 223k. Meanwhile, YMCMB/Republic’s Minaj makes her entrance at #2, scoring 190k with fourth studio album Queen.

It’s worth noting that we spent an extra day counting on our fingers and toes, because the race to the top was so heated. In this instance, every stream, sale, D2C number and ticket bundle component had to be looked at closely. Merch was a big factor in Scott’s total, while a retail bundle at Tidal boosted Minaj.

Drake’s Scorpion (YMCMB/Republic) took third place, pulling in just south of 100k in its seventh week out. This kid may have some potential.

As for the other key, new releases, Trippie Redd’s Life’s a Trip (TenThousand) bows at #4 with 71k, while Jason Mraz’s Know. (Atlantic) arrives at #9 with 31k. And a previously unreleased gospel set from Elvis Presley, Where No One Stands Alone (Legacy), shows up at #20.

One of the week’s biggest stories, however, surrounds the late, great Aretha Franklin, who broke hearts across the globe when she passed away on Thursday. As fans mourn the loss of this beloved legend, they turn to her music for solace. The Queen of Soul’s Rhino/Atlantic compilation, 30 Greatest Hits, re-enters the chart at #8. How much will fans’ ongoing devotion be reflected in the marketplace this week? Time will tell.

When it comes to marketshare, UMG is #1 with 56%, SME follows with 22% and WMG is #3 with 21%, while the indies claim 1%.

Streeting this week are albums by Republic’s Ariana Grande, Warner Nashville’s Cole Swindell and Atlantic’s Death Cab for Cutie.

In other news, we’re happy to report that our next merch bundle will include a handful of weed-infused gummy bears found under the couch, some bacon-flavored chips and a partially dried-out highlighter.