Andy Mineo & Hillsong United Lead Christian Charts
The Christian hip-hop star debuts at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums and the worship group returns to the top of Hot Christian Songs for a record-extending 51st week.
Andy Mineo’s Uncomfortable opens at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart (dated Oct. 10), marking his best sales week and second leader on the list.
The Christian hip-hop artist’s new set starts with 32,000 sold in the week ending Sept. 24, according to Nielsen Music. Mineo first led with his debut entry, 2013’s Heroes for Sale, which launched with 28,000. In between the two titles, his 2014 EP Neverland debuted and peaked at No. 2 (26,000).
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With the new LP, Mineo also achieves his first top 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200, opening at No. 10. Heroes for Sale and Neverland reached Nos. 11 and 13, respectively. The new album also begins at No. 3 on the Rap Albums chart. Meanwhile, the Uncomfortable title track booms 43-23 on Hot Christian Songs, bolstered by a No. 10 debut on Christian Streaming Songs.
Also debuting in the Top Christian Albums top five are Jason Crabb’s Whatever the Road (No. 3) and Big Daddy Weave‘s Beautiful Offerings (No. 4), with approximately 4,000 each. Crabb scores his best rank since his self-titled 2009 debut bowed at No. 2, while Big Daddy Weave notches its second-highest placement in 13 years of appearing on the chart; only 2013’s Love Come to Life charted higher (No. 3).
On Hot Christian Songs, Australian-based worship group Hillsong United garners the top spot again with “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” rebounding 2-1 for its record-extending 51st week at the summit (in its 106th week on the chart). “Oceans” first landed at No. 1 on Dec. 7, 2013 and held on top for 45 straight weeks (through Oct. 11, 2014). It returned to No. 1 for five more weeks (April 18-May 16) before its latest frame on top this week. The track has ranked in the top five each week since Dec. 7, 2013, for 97 weeks in a row and counting.
“Our hope is not in getting high, or finding that right person, or dealing with heartbreak,” says Hillsong United’s Joel Houston. “For us, it’s taking that yearning and connecting it to the God of the universe, the God of love.”