R. Kelly Set for 14th Top 10 on Billboard 200, Linkin Park for No. 1
R&B titan R. Kelly is set for his 14th top 10 album next week on the Billboard 200 with "Write Me Back." Industry sources suggest the album, his eleventh solo studio release, may sell around 65,000 by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, July 1. That should be enough to secure him a top 10 entry, but he won't be the highest bow next week.
Linkin Park is looking for its fifth No. 1, as its "Living Things" should debut atop the list. Meanwhile, Maroon 5 seems poised for a No. 2 start with "Overexposed." The former is looking at a launch of near 230,000 to 240,000 while the latter may bow with a number in the 210,000 to 220,000 range. The new Billboard 200's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, July 4.
Justin Bieber's current No. 1 album, "Believe," will likely fall to the No. 3 slot with perhaps around 120,000. It debuted at No. 1 this past week with 374,000 sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Other albums heading for high bows next week include the "Maybach Music Group Presents: Self Made, Vol. 2" compilation, which could sell 80,000 to 90,000. NBC's "The Sing Off" winner Pentatonix has a shot at a top 15 bow with its "PTX Volume 1" EP, as it could sell 20,000 to 30,000 copies.
On Nielsen SoundScan's Building chart (below), Linkin Park and Maroon 5 are at Nos. 1 and 2, while Bieber is No. 3. The Building tally is a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking -- reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week as reported by six major merchants.
The "Maybach" set is No. 4, while Usher's "Looking 4 Myself" is in fifth place, followed by R. Kelly at No. 6. Kenny Chesney's "Welcome to the Fishbowl" is No. 7, Adele's "21" is No. 8 and One Direction's "Up All Night" is No. 9. Closing out the top 10 is Pentatonix at No. 10.
Nielsen SoundScan Building Chart
Rank LW
1 NEW Linkin Park "Living Things"
2 NEW Maroon 5 "Overexposed"
3 1 Justin Bieber "Believe"
4 NEW Various Artists "Maybach Music Group Presents: Self Made, Vol. 2"
5 6 Usher "Looking 4 Myself"
6 NEW R. Kelly "Write Me Back"
7 2 Kenny Chesney "Welcome to the Fishbowl"
8 7 Adele "21"
9 8 One Direction "Up All Night"
10 NEW Pentatonix "PTX Volume 1"
The Building Chart reflects the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week (which ends Sunday) as reported by six major merchants: iTunes, Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Starbucks, Target and Anderson Merchandisers. Billboard estimates that they make up about 85% of all U.S. album sales.
http://www.billboard.com/news/r-kell...07471752.story
Bieber. Unbelievable how One Direction stole his fanbase in a few mere months.
only a 10-20 k drop from ATS's frst week sales!!!