Singer-songwriter Bryan Popin earns his first No. 1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart (dated Aug. 12), as sophomore set I Got Out arrives at the summit with 5,000 equivalent album units (almost all in traditional sales) in the week ending July 27, according to Nielsen Music.
"I've worked hard and pushed more than I ever have before to deliver this project" Popin tells Billboard. "I started my own label [Little Boy Wonder/Flaydo Music] to walk in my purpose and make a way for my music, and the message of encouragement and hope, that I want to share.
"I don't take this success lightly. I celebrate it with my family, label team, gospel radio, the fans and everyone that has believed in me and supported this ministry. I thank God for such incredible favor and blessings."
Popin, who originally hails from New Jersey and now makes his home in Nashville, first charted with his debut set You Can Make It, which bowed on Top Gospel Albums in November 2013 (at No. 16) and peaked at No. 8 in January 2015.
Meanwhile, the title-track lead single from I Got You lifts 9-8 on Gospel Airplay. It has reached No. 10 on the airplay/sales/streaming-based Hot Gospel Songs chart.
Also on Top Gospel Albums, Le'Andria Johnson's second studio full-length, Bigger Than Me, starts at No. 2 (1,000 units). Johnson won the third season of BET's gospel singing talent show Sunday Best (2010) and her first EP, The Awakening of Le'Andria Johnson, launched at No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums on the chart dated Sept. 24, 2011 (14,000 copies sold).
Johnson's sophomore EP, The Evolution of Le'Andria Johnson peaked at No. 2 on Top Gospel Albums in March 2012, while her first full-length, The Experience, arrived and peaked at No. 3 in October 2012.
Finally, praise and worship artist Marica Chisolm makes her second Top Gospel Albums appearance with new set Worship Conversations, which enters at No. 3 (1,000). Her first LP, 2014's Simply Worship, peaked at No. 15.