(more…)

Young Jeezy has proven that not all is lost during these hard economic time by selling an impressive 259, 780 units. The Recession debuted at the No. 1 spot on this week’s Billboard 200. Following up the platinum-selling The Inspiration, the Def Jam artist teamed up with fellow label mates Kanye West, Jay-Z and Nas for his third studio album. Along with the sales, his album is getting much critical acclaim in various publications, blogs and websites. Additional reporting by Rashaan Meador

The Game demolished the first week sales of his enemies in G-Unit by moving an impressive 238,382 albums. According to Nielsen Soundscan, The Game’s L.A.X. debuted at the No. 2 spot on this week’s Billboard 200. Metal group SlipKnot’s album All Hope Is Gone actually took the #1 spot on Billboard’s Top 200 Album’s chart, beating L.A.X. out by only 1,134 units.  There was an error with the Soundscan numbers earlier this week that put the Compton MC at the #1 spot. Additional reporting by Rashaan Meador

Things are looking up for T.I. and his upcoming album Paper Trail. He has made Billboard history with his latest single “Whatever You Like,” by leaping 70 spots to reach the No. 1 chart in just three weeks. According to Billboard, the hit song has jumped to the top position in record time. This marks his first ever No. 1 single and his opening-week digital total (205,000 downloads) is reportedly the best from a hip-hop song since SoundScan began gathering download data in 2003. Additional reporting by Rashaan Meador