This week on the Billboard 200 albums chart, a rap album crowned the list for the third time in as many weeks. J. Cole’s “Born Sinner” jumped from No. 2 to No. 1 in its third week, selling 58,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan (down 32%). It follows last week’s No. 1, Wale’s “The Gifted,” and the previous week’s leader, Kanye West’s “Yeezus.”
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Outside the top 10 on the Billboard 200 there were a number of movers and shakers, as usual. Let’s take a look at some of them…
— Adele, “21” (No. 35): As the set spends its 121st week in the top 40 (rising one spot to No. 35), it creeps closer to the Nielsen SoundScan-era record for the most weeks spent in the top 40, set by Shania Twain’s Come On Over (127). It’s a record that “21” seems likely to break. Of “21’s” total 124 weeks on the chart, it has spent all but three in the top 40.
— Kid Rock, “Rebel Soul” (No. 90): Venue sales of the album at his concerts pump its gain, as it jumps by 149% for a re-entry at No. 90. With 4,000 sold, it’s the album’s best frame since the sales week that ended April 21 (6,000). “Rebel Soul” also recently reached 500,000 in total sales, marking Kid Rock’s eighth Atlantic album — his entire output with the label — to hit the half-million mark.
— Neil Diamond, “The Very Best of Neil Diamond: The Studio Recordings” (No. 117): The 2011 Billboard Icon Award winner performed on PBS’ July 4 TV special “A Capitol Fourth,” singing his new benefit single “Freedom Song (They’ll Never Take Us Down).” The exposure helps his 2011 best of set rise by 170% to re-enter the chart at No. 117.
— Charlie Wilson, “Love, Charlie” (No. 101): After the R&B veteran was celebrated with a lengthy tribute at the BET Awards (June 30), his most recent album returns to the chart (4,000; up 82%) with its best sales week since late March. The album has sold 156,000 since its release on Feb. 1.
— The 1975, “IV” (EP) (No. 164): After the band scored a minor rock hit with “Sex” in June (No. 35 on Alternative), its fourth EP debuts at No. 164 with 3,000. It also bows at No. 42 on Top Rock Albums. The quartet of EPs, released since August of last year, preview the group’s self-titled debut full-length, due Sept. 9.