Beyoncé's new album was totally unannounced, plus it came out on Thursday versus the traditional Tuesday release, plus it was only available on iTunes, so there's no way that it could have made a big Billboard 200 impact, right? HA.
WHAT'S NEW
Beyoncé wasn't the year's biggest debut, but considering all the conditions listed above, it debuted pretty darn well. As you've heard already, the record set a number of marks for the performer, including the highest selling iTunes debut ever, and its no. 1 debut made Beyoncé the first female to debut at the top spot with her first five albums. The album could easily keep the no. 1 spot next week after the hard copies of the album become available.
R. Kelly might have had some thunder stolen from his Black Panties because of the unexpected Beyoncé release, but he still did well. The album sold 133,000 copies and placed at no. 4, which outdid his 2012 release Write Me Back, which placed at no. 5 with 68,000 copies sold.
Childish Gambino also saw an improvement from his last release, selling 98,000 copies of Because The Internet, which came in at no. 7.
HE'S PROBABLY OKAY WITH IT
Garth Brooks was slotted to hold the top spot in the second week of his Blame It On My Roots compilation. Still, the four-disc collection sold 172,000 copies and held the no. 2 spot. One thing that Brooks and Beyoncé have in common: Both offered their albums through exclusive marketers. Beyoncé was only available through iTunes, whereas Roots is only available at Walmart.
THE OLD GUARD
Kelly Clarkson and Duck Dynasty have maintained their reign as the Christmas season's biggest hits. Clarkson may have gotten terrible reviews for her Christmas television special last week, but Wrapped in Red kept the no. 3 spot with 136,000 copies sold. Duck The Halls moved 108,000 copies, falling to no. 6. Both albums have been in the Top 10 for their first eight weeks, which means if they can pull it off again this week, they'll set the standard for longest time spent in the Top 10 by any album during 2013.
Katy Perry and PRISM have been around for nine weeks, but unfortunately her album fell out of the Top 10 a few weeks back, so she no longer qualifies. However, the album is at no. 9 now, selling an additional 59,000 copies. Eminem keeps up the strong sales, holding down no. 8 with 83,000 copies sold of The Marshall Mathers LP 2.
One Direction doesn't really qualify as "Old Guard," as its Midnight Memories has only been out three weeks, but it's certainly selling well. The album sold another 123,000 copies last week.
HEATING UP
The Frozen soundtrack came in at no. 10 with 56,000 copies sold. It marks the first animated film soundtrack to crack the Top 10 since Cars during 2006.
See how we said Frozen was heating up? Get it? Get it? Sorry.
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