Here’s an interesting statistic. The last seven albums Rihanna released have all had a single hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, including ANTI, Rih’s 8th LP which was released at the end of January. The album itself is a stark contrast from the mega radio friendly albums the Def Jam songstress have released in the past, but the project’s anchor, the Drake collaboration “Work,” has strongly led the way, and is atop the Hot 100 for the third consecutive week, likely thanks to a performance with Drake at last month’s BRIT Awards, and the internet-breaking double-music video, directed by Director X (“Started From The Bottom,” “Body Party).
There wasn’t much drastic movement on the rest of the Hot 100 Top 10; Justin Bieber, G-Eazy, ZAYN Malik and Flo-Rida barely moved an inch–Bieber’s “Sorry” fell a spot to #5, and in turn Flo Rida’s “My House” crept up to #4–but towards the back end, Kelly Clarkson made one hell of a debut. Her newest hit single, “Piece By Piece,” made its debut at #9 on the Hot 100, proving the tenured singer still has her star power (it’s been 9 years since her break-up anthem, “Since U Been Gone,” became one of the biggest hits of the 2000’s). Ironically, it comes at a contentious time for Clarkson, who recently made less-than-favorable comments about her former collaborator, Dr. Luke, who is currently wrapped up in a legal battle with Kesha, who has accused Luke of sexually assaulting her. Just outside the Top 10, Ty Dolla $ign is enjoying a career-best #12 spot on the chart, thanks to his bubbly guest feature on Fifth Harmony‘s “Work From Home,” which could continue to scale the charts into the Top 10, considering the high mark is the song’s debut, and the accompanying music video will only help its popularity grow.
As far as the albums chart, the English alternative rock band The 1975 found a way to dethrone Adele’s 25, which previously spent 10 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200. 1975’s new LP, I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It, moved just under 100,000 SPS (sales plus streaming) units to land the top spot. They also debuted at #1 in the UK.
The rest of the Billboard 200 roughly mirrors last week’s chart, except for Kelly Clarkson’s meteoric up-shoot from #120 on the charts to #6, with Piece By Piece. Despite the fact that the album ws released on February 27, Clarkson’s emotional performance of the album’s title track on the final season of American Idol jumpstarted the music’s popularity, and her 1140-spot jump is good for the biggest leap into the Top 10 on the chart in a decade. Rihanna and Justin Bieber remain steadfast in the Top 5 with Anti (#3) and Purpose (#5), and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis‘ new album, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made, made a meager debut at #4 with sales of just under 60,000.
Next week, expect a second #1 debut in as many years by Kendrick Lamar, who surprise-released untitled unmastered., a set of unreleased To Pimp A Butterfly demos, on March 4. Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz‘s joint album Collegrove will also likely make a Top 5 debut on the Billboard 200, and Dreamville’s own Bas may slide into the Top 10 with his newest album on Interscope Records, Too High To Riot.
