Mobb Deep: Havoc and Prodigy offered a darker sound than their mid-90s contemporaries, with their 1995 album "The Infamous" still standing as a must-listen. Choice Cut: "Shook Ones Pt. II"
After a nearly eight-year hiatus from the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums top 10, Mobb Deep returns to the region, as its eighth studio album, "The Infamous… Mobb Deep," opens at No. 10. The set starts with 7,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The new release is the veteran rap duo's eighth top 10 and first since "Blood Money" (its one album under 50 Cent's G-Unit label) hit No. 1 on the chart dated May 20, 2006. Mobb Deep's first seven chart appearances took the pair to the top five, including two prior No. 1s: 1996's "Hell on Earth" and 2001's "Infamy."
Both of Mobb Deep's members, Prodigy and Havoc, have had individual success on the chart, too, although to different degrees. Prodigy's made six appearances on the list, including three top 10s: "H-N-I-C" (No. 6, 2000), "Return of the Mac" (No. 9, 2007) and "H.N.I.C. Pt. 2" (No. 3, 2008). Havoc has dented the chart with two sets: 2007's "The Kush" (No. 31) and last year's "13" (No. 44).
Staying at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for a second week is Pharrell's "G I R L" with a 2 percent decrease to 25,000 sold. The home to his infectious "Happy" has sold 242,000 to date. YG's "My Krazy Life" (16,000, down 28 percent) and Rick Ross' "Mastermind" (15,000, down 19 percent) hold tight at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, while John Legend's "Love in the Future" skips 6-4 with a 4 percent increase to 14,000 copies to re-enter the top five. Legend's move pushes "Beyonce" down 4-5 (13,000, down 13 percent).
Pharrell also retains the top spot on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as "Happy" posts a ninth consecutive week at No. 1. John Legend's "All of Me" stays at No. 2 despite earning the Airplay and Streaming Gainer awards for rising 9 percent to 177.5 million listener impressions and 11 percent to 8 million U.S. streams, respectively, according to Nielsen BDS.
Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty" (featuring 2 Chainz) and Aloe Blacc's "The Man" hold onto the Nos. 3 and 4 positions, respectively, while Chris Brown's "Loyal" (featuring Lil Wayne & French Montana or Too $hort or Tyga) enters the top five for the first time with a 6-5 step in its 12th week. Brown's last top five hit as a lead artist was 2012's "Strip" (featuring Kevin K-Mac McCall), which peaked at No. 3.
Kid Ink's "Show Me" (featuring Brown) moves 7-6 in its 25th week on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while Beyonce's "Drunk in Love" (featuring Jay Z) tumbles 5-7 in its continued decline from No. 1 on the chart dated Feb. 15. Trey Songz' "Na Na" (9-8) overtakes Eminem's "The Monster" (featuring Rihanna) (8-9) for a new peak and Beyonce's "Partition" moves 12-10 to re-enter and close out the top 10. "Partition" peaked at No. 9 on the March 15 chart but will likely beat that mark as radio continues to grow the song. On the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart, the cut jumps 3-1 to become Bey's 10th No. 1, extending her record for the most leaders among women.