By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
It’s a new week in music, and this week, quite a few new albums dropped. One of the most talked about albums is of course Unapologetic, which is Rihanna’s seventh studio album. Rihanna seems to be a favorite when it comes to headlines, as her very on and off again relationship with fellow singer Chris Brown draws enough interest in itself. However, when it comes to her music, Rihanna’s fan base, which she affectionately refers to as the “Navy”; has managed to help her achieve every goal, except a number one album. And for the fact alone, Rihanna has been coined as a singles artist, a label she has hoped to shed for quite some time. Although it had been projected that Unapologetic could end up being Rihanna’s first number one album, it was also a possibility that Taylor Swift could hold on to the number one spot, especially since first week’s sales for her current album Red exceeded one million.
Well the numbers are in, and Rihanna has landed her first number one album on the Billboard 200 Chart according to Nielsen SoundScan . The album sold 238,000 copies and this comes right after the singer nabbed her 12th number one single with “Diamonds.”
This is a huge deal for Rihanna, as the SRP/Def Jam set is her seventh studio release in a little over seven years, and follows six earlier top 10 efforts. Although she held the distinction of having the most No. 1 songs on the Hot 100, Rihanna’s biggest goal was to prove to the industry and her critics that she could have it all…number one singles, and number one albums. It’s definitely an achievement every artist desires to call their own. Congratulations to Rihanna.
In more album news, Nicki Minaj might have been right when she claimed that Target and other stores refusing to sale her new album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up would hurt her record sales. The Young Money pop star only sold 34,501 albums in first week sales. This is the lowest first week album sales ever for the female rapper.
And in the world of R&B, Keyshia Cole’s numbers were satisfying, as her new album Woman to Woman sold 96,695 copies its first week, therefore proving that Keyshia still has a solid fan base. The album debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200, making this album her fifth consecutive top ten album. Congratulations to Keyshia Cole.
Rihanna FINALLY did it. Good for her. Hopefully she will be smart and not allow her relationship with Breezy to ruin her career.
*Points and laughs at Nicki*
As HUGE as Rih’s fan base is, why did it take her seven years to get a number one album? That’s weird.
I understand that Nicki’s albums weren’t being sold in stores like that but why didn’t her crazy a– barbies just buy the album off iTunes? Sounds like she is losing steam.
I wonder if Nicki will now scrap the Pink Friday thing. She really needs to. lol
Hmm…Rihanna’s numbers are still very low for her to be an international pop star. It also took her 7 years to do this, and she had to do it when there was virtually no real competition. Interesting.
the only album I would buy out of all 3 is Keyshia’s. Rihanna and Nicki’s music just doesn’t do it for me.
I agree with you! Nicki I never understood the big deal with her.
I brought Keyshia album, out of 17 songs its only one that I do skip over! Her album is Good
Nicki is GOOD. It’s the stores’ fault, and not a sign that she is falling off. People get too excited too quickly.