Decade Later, Biggie Finds New Life on Charts
They don't call him B.I.G. for nothing.
Though hailed as one of the East Coast's greatest rappers, the Notorious B.I.G. lived to see just one of his albums released, 1994's tragically prophetic Ready to Die. Now, on the 10th annivesary of his murder, the hip-hop icon's new Greatest Hits has just become his third posthumous release to reach number one.
For the week ended Sunday, the compilation sold 99,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan numbers released today.
Highlighted by such hits as "Big Poppa" and "Hypnotize" and the previously unreleased "Want That Old Thing Back"—the new collection hits number one days after fans marked a full decade since his slaying. The rapper, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, was gunned down Mar. 9, 1997, after leaving a Soul Train Awards after-party in Los Angeles. The murder remains unsolved.
Two weeks later, Life After Death hit number one. Three more posthumous albums followed, and only 2005's Duets: The Final Chapter failed to top the Billboard 200, opening at number three.
With the charts going Notorious at number one, Canadian indie rockers the Arcade Fire debuted at number two, selling 92,000 copies of Neon Bible. The new disc, a follow-up to 2005's groundbreaking Funeral, already topped the charts in Ireland and is a Top 10 smash in the U.K. and Australia.
While sales remain weak—down 19 percent compared to the same week last year—there were five new albums in the Top 10, the first time this has happened in four months.
In addition to Biggie and Arcade Fire, California country singer Gary Allan opened at number five with 70,000 copies of his own Greatest Hits. Christian pop-punkers Relient K, who went for a more mature sound this time around, moved 64,000 copies of Fire Score & Seven Years Ago to land at number six. And Korn sold 51,000 copies of its MTV Unplugged set to plug in at number nine.
With two new albums taking the top spots, Daughtry's self-titled slipped a pair to number three, selling another 82,000 copies.
The rest of the Top 10 were holdovers: Akon's Konvicted at four, Norah Jones' Never Too Late at seven, Fall Out Boy's Infinity on High at eight, and Robin Thicke's Evolution of Robin Thicke in the 10 spot.
Outside the Top 10, Atlanta rockers Sevendust scored a career high as Alpha sold 42,000 copies at 14. Another rock act, Finger Eleven, bowed at 31, selling 19,000 copies of Them vs. You vs. Me, while Air floated in at number 40, selling 17,000 copies of Pocket Symphony.
Other noteworthy debuts included Chimaira's Resurrection at 42, Mary Chapin Carpenter's Calling at 59, the 300 soundtrack at 74, Son Volt's Search at 81 and the Wow Hymns collection at 100.
Here's a recap of the Top 10:1. Greatest Hits, Notorious B.I.G.
2. Neon Bible, Arcade Fire
3. Daughtry, Daughtry
4. Konvicted, Akon
5. Greatest Hits, Gary Allan
6. Five Score & Seven Years Ago, Relient K
7. Not Too Late, Norah Jones
8. Infinity on High, Fall Out Boy
9. MTV Unplugged, Korn
10. Evolution of Robin Thicke, Robin Thicke
The Big Picture
Shiny Happy Shia Greed must be good, as it has Wall Street 2 star LaBeouf grinning from ear to ear on set
More PhotosMost Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (916)
- Rob and Kristen "Relaxed" Together in NYC (673)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (650)
- Rob Flies Back to L.A. With Kristen (606)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (450)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (443)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (427)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (367)
- Bitch-Back! Is There Drama on the Gossip Girl Set? (345)
Top 10 Stories
- Adam Lambert on Early Show: I'm Not a Babysitter
- Carrie Ann Inaba Trades Judges' Chair for Hospital Bed
- Dancing With the Stars: A New Winner Raises the Disco Ball
- J.Lo's Ex: There's "Maybe One Spanking," but I'm Not Selling a Sex Tape
- Nicole Richie Back in Her Own Bed
- GMA Doesn't Want Adam Lambert's Sloppy Seconds...Cue The Early Show!
- Goodbye or Good Riddance to Jon & Kate Plus 8?
- Oprah's Mom Settles Clothes Call Lawsuit
- Rihanna Sings Threesome, Avoids Going Naked on GMA
- Michael Lohan Runs Out of Family Members to Alienate, Starts Leaking Jon Gosselin Tapes
Fashion Police
Sloppy SuitingGwyneth dares to experiment with hard-to-wear satin, but the result is dull and unpolished
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
0 Comments
Now loading...