YG Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

YG’s “My Krazy Life” debuts at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 61,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It leads a new peak of highly anticipated rap releases on the chart.

The Los Angeles rapper’s No. 1 debut — a concept album that opens with YG robbing a house — marks the fourth chart-topping debut this year. It follows Toni Braxton & Babyface’s “Love, Marriage & Divorce” (with 67,000 in February), Schoolboy Q’s “Oxymoron” (139,000 on March 15) and Rick Ross’ “Mastermind” (with 179,000 on March 22).

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YG’s arrival is the first No. 1 debut for a new artist since R&B supergroup TGT posted “Three Kings” atop the list last September.

YG’s breakout hit “My Hitta,” featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan, was certainly the catalyst for his album’s strong opening. On the Mainstream R&;B/Hip-Hop airplay chart, “My Hitta” was held at No. 2 for five weeks by Beyonce’s surprise smash “Drunk in Love,” featuring Jay Z, throughout February and into March. On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the cut is in its 24th week in the top 10 with a No. 5 peak on Dec. 28. And digitally, “My Hitta” has sold 1.2 million downloads.

Behind “My Krazy Life” on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Pharrell’s “G I R L” slides 3-2 (with a 24% skid to 34,000 units) as Ross’ previously-mentioned “Mastermind” falls to No. 3 (down 44% to 27,000) after two weeks at No. 1.

“Beyonce” steps 5-4 in its 15th week despite a 16% drop to 19,000 and Louisiana rapper Kevin Gates’ No. 5 debut with “By Any Means” (15,000) closes out the top five. This is Gates’ third appearance on the chart as he’s built his way up from “The Luca Brasi Story,” which debuted at No. 50 in April, 2013 with 1,000 copies and “Stranger Than Fiction,” which opened at No. 11 in August, 2013 with 8,000. Though Gates has yet to post a single on any Billboard chart, his album-buying fan base is clearly growing.

Further down the list, underground rap staple Freddie Gibbs posts his fourth chart hit “Pinata,” alongside revered producer Madlib, at No. 11 with 9,000 copies. It is both artists’ best position on the list.

On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, things remain calm as Pharrell’s “Happy” earns a seventh week at No. 1. John Legend’s “All of Me” and Jason Derulo’s “Talk Dirty,” featuring 2 Chainz, retain the Nos. 2 and 3 positions, respectively. Aloe Blacc’s “The Man” (4-5) and Beyonce’s “Drunk in Love” (5-4) swap places at Nos. 4 and 5.

Kid Ink’s “Show Me” (featuring Chris Brown), Eminem’s “Monster” (featuring Rihanna) and YG’s “My Hitta” all hold tight at Nos. 6, 7 and 8, respectively, while Trey Songz’ “Na Na” is the only new entry in the top 10 with an 11-9 jump. The move marks Songz’s 19th top 10 title on the list, as well as producer DJ Mustard’s sixth. On Feb. 15, Songz announced that his upcoming sixth studio set “Trigga” is tentatively scheduled for a June 30 release.

To round out the top 10 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Chris Brown’s “Loyal,” featuring Lil Wayne and French Montana or Too $hort, stays put at No. 10 for a second week. (Both Montana and Too $hort are billed on the track, as it is available in two versions: an East Coast Version, with Montana, and a West Coast version, with Too $hort.)