Beyoncé's 'LEMONADE' Slays at No. 1
Queen Bey slays the charts. As expected, Beyoncé’s LEMONADE debuts with stellar sales at the top of the Billboard 200.
Arriving at No. 1 in its opening week, LEMONADE sold 653,000 equivalent album units with 485,000 in pure album sales for the week ending April 28. The figures earn Queen Bey the title for biggest sales week for any album in 2016 in overall units and in sales.
This is Beyoncé’s sixth solo album and sixth No. 1. It follows 2013’s self-titled album, 2011’s 4, 2008’s I Am… Sasha Fierce, 2006’s B’Day, and 2003’s Dangerously in Love. And it makes Queen Bey the only act to reach the top spot on the chart with her first six studio releases.
.@Beyonce becomes the 1st artist to reach (and debut at) #1 with her 1st six studio albums on the Billboard 200 chart.
— Chart News (@chartnews) May 1, 2016
In the wake of his passing, Prince albums continue to rule the charts as well. The late legend has five projects in this week’s top 7, including The Very Best of Prince at No. 2, the Purple Rain soundtrack at No. 3, The Hits/The B-Sides at No. 4, Ultimate at No. 6, and 1999 at No. 7.
Rihanna’s ANTI found itself in the midst of Prince’s reign. It falls 4-5 this week, selling 50,000 units.
Elsewhere, A$AP Ferg opens at No. 8 with his sophomore album Always Strive and Prosper, which sold 35,000 units. It follows 2013’s Trap Lord and is the Harlem spitter’s second top 10 release. But it bests his debut, which opened and peaked at No. 9 with 32,000.
Rounding out the top 10 are Chris Stapleton’s Traveller, which dips to No. 9 (33,000 units), while Justin Bieber’s Purpose remains at No. 10 with 31,000.
Billboard 200 Top 10
1. Beyoncé – LEMONADE – 653,000
2. Prince – The Very Best of Prince – 391,000
3. Prince – Purple Rain – 150,000
4. Prince – The Hits/The B-Sides – 106,000
5. Rihanna – ANTI – 50,000
6. Prince – Ultimate – 40,000
7. Prince – 1999 – 36,000
8. A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper – 35,000
9. Chris Stapleton – Traveller – 33,000
10. Justin Bieber – Purpose – 31,000