Traveller is basking in the glow of Stapleton’s six Academy of Country Music Award wins on April 3, in addition to a profile on CBS' Sunday Morning the same day.
Industry forecasters suggest Traveller may jump back to the top slot with more than 70,000 in equivalent album units earned in the week ending April 7. That’d be a steep jump from the previous frame, when the set shifted 31,000 units (and placed at No. 8). Traveller first hit No. 1 in the wake of another awards show, the Country Music Association Awards (CMAs, Nov. 4), where he duetted with Justin Timberlake and won three trophies. Traveller re-entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 1 following the CMAs and spent two weeks in the penthouse.
As for West’s The Life of Pablo, the formerly Tidal-exclusive set’s wide release on April 1 to all streaming services is fueling its likely high chart entry. Forecasters estimate the set could generate 60,000 units for the week. Because of the unique release of The Life of Pablo, that estimated figure is in flux and could grow as the week progresses, thus giving West a shot at the top slot.
Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo' Now Available to Buy or Stream
The Life of Pablo was initially released on Feb. 13 via Tidal’s streaming service and briefly as a commercial download via West’s official website. The set’s sales and its streams through Tidal were not reported to Nielsen Music, whose data powers the Billboard 200 chart.
In addition to The Life of Pablo’s wide streaming availability on April 1, it was released for sale exclusively as a download through West’s official site.
If The Life of Pablo nabs the No. 1 slot, it will give West his seventh consecutive chart-topper. He previously led the list with Yeezus (in 2013), Watch the Throne (with Jay Z in 2011), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), 808s & Heartbreak (2008), Graduation (2007) and Late Registration (2005).
Aside from The Life of Pablo, other albums heading for high debuts on the new Billboard 200 include Lukas Graham’s self-titled set (around 55,000 to 60,000 units), Twenty88’s self-titled effort (50,000) and Weezer’s White Album (45,000 to 50,000).
