Rappers lead U.S. album charts

11/24/2006 10:24 AM, Reuters


Two popular rap acts occupied the top two spots on the U.S. album charts Wednesday, with the Game's "Doctor's Advocate" coming in at No. 1.

The release moved 358,000 copies during the week ended November 19, according to Nielsen SoundScan, down sharply from the 587,000 start for his 2005 debut "The Documentary."

Akon's "Konvicted" sold 284,000, enough to earn him the No. 2 slot. The tally trumped the first week of his 2004 album "Trouble" almost a dozen times over. Its strong numbers were likely fueled by the successful singles "I Wanna Love You" (featuring Snoop Dogg) and "Smack That" (featuring Eminem), both of which have peaked at No. 2 on The Hot 100 thus far.

The multi-artist hits compilation "NOW 23" fell to No. 3 after its No. 1 start last week, selling 194,000. Josh Groban's "Awake" slipped two to No. 4, also in its second week, with 150,000.

The soundtrack to Disney's former chart-topper "Hannah Montana" kept the No. 5 spot warm for a second week with 114,000.

Overall CD sales were up 4.5 percent from last week's count and down 4.7% compared to the same week a year ago at 12.49 million units. Sales for 2006 are down 5 percent compared to 2005 at 468.7 million units.

Reuters/Billboard