Eminem just rode to a fifth straight week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart, selling another 187,000 copies of his Recovery according to Nielsen SoundScan. Scoring a big opening number is hard enough these days; sustaining such high sales for more than a month is rarer still.
Rick Ross, the man whom some expected to end Em’s chart reign, missed the mark by just 11,000 units in the end. Ross’ Teflon Don debuts at No. 2 with a solid 176,000 copies sold. That’s actually a bit higher than his chart-topping Deeper Than Rap did last year (158,000), so hopefully Ross is celebrating somewhere today even though he had to settle for second-best.
From there it’s a steep drop to No. 3, where we find Sheryl Crow’s 100 Miles from Memphis with an okay-not-great 55,000 copies sold. No. 5 goes to those irrepressible Kidz Bop Kidz, whose Kidz Bop 18 (featuring covers of Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and more) sold 43,000. At No. 7 it’s the Jonas Brothers’ Jonas L.A. soundtrack, whose 32,000 bow hardly compares to the kind of digits they were once able to post.
Those were the only notable new entries in this week’s Top 20. What do you think? Surprised that first-week Rick Ross couldn’t quite beat fifth-week Eminem? Who do you think will finally knock Em out of that No. 1 spot?
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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Katy Perry answers fans’ questions, talks about her “boobs”








I’M SO OVER EMINEM HE NEEDS TO GO READ A BIBLE AND REPENT. OR ELSE.
Judy-
You are just as guilty being in this article about Eminem.
By just being here you are condoning and honoring his devilish album.
Please leave now and I won’t tell satan where to find you – on the internet seeking out slim shady.
Watch out Jess, I think it’s serious, she typed in caps.. She might smite you next..
Sounds like Judy’s a Rick Ross fan! Who knew?
Judy, you’re such a complicated spirit, we learn more about you every time you delight us with your posts. You’re like an onion, we just keep peeling those layers away, tears rolling down our faces due to the sinfully fragrant fumes of your aroma…mmmm…BUT WAIT! An onion grows in the ground, with its roots reaching deeper, deeper, deeper into the ground…reaching TOWARDS SATAN!!! REPENNNNNTTTT!!!
Do. Not. Feed. The. Troll.
Thank you.
Normally, I’d agree with you. But with Judy, I can’t help it. It’s probably the devil making me do it.
Judy Dinch is funny. I agree. Eminem SHOULD repent. But what really saddens me is that the Jonas Brothers only sold 32K copies of their new CD — 500K fewer than their CD just two years ago!! What happened to their fans? Did they grow up that fast? And if so, why haven’t Eminiem’s fans grown tired of HIS juvenile music?
@ Bebe – We haven’t got tired of it because he is always reinventing himself and consitantly gets better (with the exception of Relapse which still was a lyrical masterclass) Let me put it more simpley.. Jonas Bros = Hanson Bros or 1 album wonders who were flavors of the week. Eminem = Elvis Presley or legends who defined an entire generation.
Elvis? Really?! I don’t see the similarity (at all), but if you do, then by all means … enjoy!
The Jonas fans finally realized they sucked, Bebe. And Eminem fans know that he doesn’t. You’ll realize it too when you get tired of you Susan Boyle CD.
HOPEFULLY the freaky fans of Justin Bieber will fade away as quickly as the homoJoBros! Geesh – could pop music get any suckier??
WHERE’s da CHAPSTICK!?
IN MY PANTS
first
Tool.
I use tools to make objects out of wood.
I’m glad that Eminem is still on top of the charts, his new record is AMAZING. I’m also happy that the Jonas Brothers 15 minutes are almost up, sadly the teens have now the Bieber Fever.
Bieber will face the same thing as the Jonas Brothers in a few more years. The road to adulthood is littered with teen popstars. Few make the transition to adulthood and retain their popularity. I don’t see Bieber making it.
I think Justin’s stint will be even shorter than the Jo Bros’. I don’t think he’ll even be remembered by next year, he’ll already be replaced with someone else.
I hope you’re right, I have to believe you are – mostly because as annoying as the Jonas Brothers were, Bieber is much worse and much less talented. Totally unbearable.
Agreed. Bieber totally sounds like a kid singing when he “sings”. I know he has industry heavyweights behind him, but I totally doubt he will be having hits in 5 yrs. Happens to every teen…its just the fans haven’t lived long enough to know the inevitable.
Bieber is probably going to end up like a lot of those teeny boppy heartthrobs who end up bald and fat..
I agree. Justin Bieber is popular now, but can he stay at it when he reaches adulthood? He’s going to have to make some sturdier and denser pop records than what he has right now. He still has that kid sounding voice when he sings over those urban pop sounds. Hope that his voice changes to get rid of that squeaky voice.
Hopefully Sheryl’s album holds up well on the charts. It’s one of the best of the year.
it was boring.
Yea! Eat it Rick Ross! He was talking smack about Em last year and his 1st week couldnt beat Em’s 5th! HA!
Really. What did Rick Ross say about Em? Anyone dissing Em might as well prepare for a retaliation (sp) from him.
I actually think he said he would outsell Eminem during his whole fued with 50 last year.. Yea Maybe outsell Em’s 12th week!
em never paid any attention to riro. riro was outright ignored. :}
Eminem’s album is selling for the same reason Jay Z and Kanye sell. People are tired of the gimmick party raps and all the down south songs that come accompanied with a silly dance. They actually tell stories when they rhyme. And now you will see how longevity comes into play. Everyone can be the flavor of the month, but talent will always outlast. And that is why Jay, Em, and Kanye are still going to be strong sellers.
Ugh… remember when American popular music used to be good?
Vaguely. It was so long ago.
What Em puts out is not music. Not saying it isn’t entertainment, just not, strictly speaking, music.
I’m surprised Eminem has remained relevant with the same lyrics and beats he has used for years. Innovation isn’t a word used in his vocabulary …..
America needs a musical revolution!
have you even listened to the album…No Love is a ridiculously good song, Not Afraid and Almost Famous are fantastic…same lyrics and beats…you’ve got to be kidding me. I was no fan of eminem when he started with his slim shady bs…but damn has he matured and proven himself.
Learn what the hell you are talking about. Em worked with Dre much more on his last albums than he did on Recovery. This time it was all about bo1da and Just Blaze.
Wow, I have Em’s CD and despite your observation, I’ve heard new lyrics and new beats! How could that be? Oh I know why!! Because I actually listen to stuff before I make a generalized comment about it, so I don’t sound like an idiot, Meso. What’s your excuse?
It still is once in awhile, you old crickety dinosaur. Stick with your old Foghat records.
And why are you reading this article anyway if you’re tired of today’s popular music? Still hoping that the Allman Brothers will make a comeback, or Meat Loaf will start selling again? Go read a back issue of Rolling Stone or something and relive the old days, you wrinkly old coot.
people actually buy Kidz Bop? And it’s in the Top 5 of the album chart? Man, the music industry IS dead.
pebblez
Its going to be a challenge for the Arcade Fire to top Em if he’s averaging 175K+ copies a week when their new album comes out next week.
I really like how Eminems becoming the biggest star all over again. He’s going to join Lady Gaga with 10 million facebook fans soon, starting this decade off like he did the last with sales too.
Ugh… Lady GaGa
Avenged Sevenfold, Avenged Sevenfold! I’ll be so happy to see them take over next week and bring some rock and roll back to the charts.
King Mathers still on top
Props to Eminem. This album is classic. To all the Em haters, he’s richer than you, more talented than you and you’re a bunch of nobodys…
I predicted that Rick Ross would start at No. 2, but Eminem’s album is still a strong seller after 5 weeks. And Ross’ album is pretty good. Overlook the 14 to 15 guest artist appearances (John Legend is also another artist on the album)–they step back and let Rick run the show. The orchestra led song is superb with T.I. and Erykah Badu!
Why do you have to come in and make a weird comment like that? Does any rap fan say “the orchestra is led superb”? I doubt you have listened to an Em song in your life.
yea its ok but not all that
eminem is the best rapper in the world
As Chris Rock says “The best rapper is white, the best golfer is black and the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese. The world is on it’s ear, man.”
I <3 choo ANON!