Eminem stands tall as Recovery sits pretty at the top of Billboard Top 200 Chart for the third straight week.
According to Hits Daily Double, he sold another 230,000 albums and edged toward 1.3 million albums total, which puts him in the third place spot for best selling album of the year (so far…). OnlyJustin Bieber’sMy World 2.0 (2nd) and Lady Antebellum’sNeed You Now have sold more units.
Drake took the #2 spot on the charts with Thank Me Later, which pushed another 73,000 units last week for a total of over 800,000 albums sold, while the soundtrack from The Twilight Saga: Eclipse took #3 spot.
Be sure to check out Billboard for full chart results.
Is anyone having a better week than Eminem? There never was any question whether the rapper’s Recovery album would take the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top 200 chart the first week out, rather, it was more so a question of how many copies would be sold.
By the middle of last week, industry sources pegged Eminem to sell 600,000 copies. But when all was said and done, the rapper could sell in excess of 700,000- 750,000 in his first week.
Recovery will be Eminem’s sixth straight No. 1 debut – and sixth overall No. 1. His only album to miss the top spot was his “Slim Shady LP” debut, which bowed and peaked at No. 2 in 1999.
Not too shabby! Recovery is easily the rapper’s best material since The Eminem Show, which was released in 2002. He has come back focused and inspired, so it will be interesting to see how singles perform on the charts in upcoming months. If you’re one of the 700K+ who purchased Recovery, we’re curious to know what you think of it.
Everyone’s favorite bad boy, Eminem, is back with his official music video for “Not Afraid,” lead single from the upcoming album Recovery (June 22).
The rapper sticks to the serious tone of the song for the video treatment, which begins with Em rapping while standing on building rooftops and flash-cuts to him in a grimy basement. He then walks the streets that turn out to be a massive hall of mirrors before he reaches the end of his path. We won’t ruin how it ends for you, so be sure to check it out below. Anyone excited for Recovery or has Eminem fever finally run out completely?
Breaking News!! Jay-Z and Eminem have just announced what’s being billed as a “home-and-home” concert series of shows in Detroit and New York respectively. The pair made the announcement live, on-air during the Yankees vs Tigers game tonight.
On September 2nd, Detroit native, Eminem will headline a performance at Detroit’s Comerica Park with Jay-Z acting as the show’s opener. Then on September 13th, Brooklyn-born Jay-Z will headline the Yankee Stadium performance, with Eminem returning the favor as opening act. This will mark the first concert ever at the new Yankee Stadium.
Details regarding ticket sales have yet to be released, but pretty safe to say tickets will be hard to come by. Check out the full announcement at Yankees.com.
The much publicized 2009 American Music Awards came and went in a flash. A night that promised unbelievable performances with an A-List lineup faltered with over dramatic acts and numerous missed notes, that is when folks were actually singing live. As the AMA’s crowned a new crop of stars, it was the veterans who stole the show with professionalism and grace.
The night started with an 8-minute medley from Janet Jackson who mixed some of her greatest hits in “If,” “Miss You Much,” “Control” and “Together Again,” with her latest single “Make Me.” Though evident Miss Jackson has lost a step or two as of late, she set the standard for female “pop” stars who desperately tried to mimic her all night long with dance troupes. The epitome of a performer, Janet genuinely seemed to relish her moment in the spotlight.
Best vocal performance of the evening? A tie between Kelly Clarkson and Mary J Blige. Say what you want about Kelly’s weight or odd outfit, or lack of nominations, that girl can flat out sing and she proves it every time she hits the stage. She was so good that we were able to forgive her for singing “Already Gone” for the millionth time. Seriously, that song needs to go. Meanwhile, Mary J Blige hit all the right notes as she belted her new single “I Am.” Take notes young R&B stars — MJB is the truth.
In addition to Eminem, news leaked last week that Lady Gaga (ugh, gag me) will also take the stage as will still rumored Rihanna. Despite my distaste for the likes of Lady Gaga, you have to admit the AMA’s are compiling a pretty star-studded lineup of performers. Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z and Jenifer Lopez are also slated to perform.
Tune into ABC on November 22nd to see all the action.
Is Mariah Careyobsessing over her new album? Word has it the diva has once again pushed back the release date of her upcoming album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel again. The album was originally slated for an August 25th release, then pushed to September 15th, and is now according to her website set for release on September 29th.
Along with pushing back the album, Mariah has canceled a slew of promotional appearances, which has the internets abuzz with rumors. She was originally slated to usher back in VH1’s “Storytellers” with an intimate performance for die-hard fans, but axed it at the last minute. Aside from a (lackluster) guest spot on her hubby, Nick Cannon’s show “America’s Got Talent,” Mariah hasn’t fulfilled any previously scheduled appearances, which has quite a few folks in the industry peeved.
Mariah is back with a new single, “Obsessed,” that will appear on her upcoming album “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.” The central theme of the track is Mimi asking: “why you so obsessed with me?” I don’t know, Mimi, are we really obsessed with you? I think not.
But rumor has it that this is a little diss track aimed at Eminem for putting her on blast in the song “Bagpipes from Baghdad,” off his new album. (Sample Em lyric: “Nick Cannon better back the fuck up/ I’m not playin’ / I want her back you punk / This is Hello Kitty bedspread satin funk.”)
Sadly, Mimi follows the trend of all the autotune slackers of late – or as I like to call it “T-Pains” the track. Vocoder aside, it’s just a boring ass track. It’s not awful, I mean we’ve heard worse by now, but it sounds like everything else out at the moment, which is disappointing. Let’s face it Mimi, Eminem gave you a REASON to get people chatting about the new album, which we are — and this is all you come with?
Mariah is one of the most successful female artists around — with one of the greatest voices, but even she is following trends. A bad trend at that. BTW, Mariah, you’re totally obsessing about the fact that Em is obsessing over you — why don’t we all just move on? Also, you’re too grown of a woman to say lines like “lyin that you’re sexin’ me.”
Return of the Smooth Operator? – R&B heads rejoice, Sade is back in the studio and expected to spend the rest of the month working on new material with her band (original members). Its been nine years since we last heard her sweet alto tone on Lover’s Rock and we have missed her ever since. Sony hopes to release the album at the end of this year and let’s face it, that is a holiday gift we’d all love to hear. It will be a happy new year indeed because once again love will be king.
Not everyone likes tea – So Borat or Ali G or whoever he is this blockbuster season thought it would be funny to teabag Eminem at the 09 MTV Movie Awards. The clip has made the rounds to all the news outlets, trade and gossip mags and wags and received over a million hits on the MTV website the following day. The antics also helped skyrocket the ratings bringing in a 4.8 from the coveted 12-34 demo. The funny thing is, most people end up arguing because no one is sure if it was staged or not. What do you think? (pssst, I know the truth. If you ask me nicely maybe I’ll tell you want really happened.)
LiveNation who? – So after buying back his last album from Def Jam, seems Jay-Z has now signed to Warner Music Group. Supposedly, the deal is only for this album but that could always change down the road. In related news, his new Roc Nation banner will still fly high for Sony Music as planned. For someone who’s technically retired (again), he sure does get around.
Idol Chit Chat – Apparently my fave (can you tell) Adam Lambert will be featured in the upcoming Rolling Stone and is supposed to “out” himself. At least this is what The Post is saying. Well… ummm… surprise?
Hey RS, this ain’t news. Way to crack the case.
Why does it matter?
Adam is not your mother’s Clay Aiken, get over it people!
Is Lambert the next Queen (keep the jokes to yourself people) – Legendary rock band Queen is considered putting the band back together with a new lead singer, the front-runner… Adam Lambert. Guitarist Brian May told Rolling Stone, “I’d definitely like to work with Adam. That is one amazing instrument he has there.” Since the passing of Freddie Mercury in 1991, no one has been able to fill his shoes. Is Adam the heir-apparent? He definitely has the voice for it.
Bye bye T.I. (for now) – Rapper T.I. reported to an Arkansas prison today to begin serving his 366 day sentence on weapons charges. Attornies for the rapper filed papers last week hoping to push back the start date by 10 days in an attempt to secure him placement in a minimum security facility just outside of his hometown Atlanta. Request denied!
Stay up T.I., you’ll be out soon enough and I know we all can’t wait to hear the music you come up with in the meantime.
Are they or Aren’t they? – It seems our girl Rihanna was seen exiting Kanye West’s apartment this weekend. Speculators are wondering if something could be going on between the newly single stars. Well if Kanye’s new video “Paranoid” is any indication, I’m leaning toward yes. For someone as vain as Mr. West, I find it strange that he made it a point to showcase Rih Rih more prominently than he did himself. She was clearly the star and he was barely in it, not that I’m complaining (no shade). Could she be the producer’s new muse? And by the way, she looked absolutely stunning throughout the vid. Bajan massive stand up!
Top Ten Records of the Week
1) Eminem – Relapse
2) Green Day – 21 Century Breakdown
3) Kenny Chesney – Greatest Hits II
4) Dane Cook – Isolated Incident (really?!)
5) Method Man/Redman – Blackout 2 (Welcome back boys!)
We started as a three friends having conversations about music during lunches together at the office. Since then we have expanded to seven members, including a Chi-town native, and the conversations have gotten bigger and better. The Round Table has grown into a casual setting where music aficionados can gather to discuss all things music. Topics include (but not limited to) artists and bands, new music releases, concerts, recording industry news and concerns, and the occasional nugget of entertainment gossip. We have tastes that cover the entire music spectrum and love to share them (and our opinions) with each other. We are The Round Table! Come join the conversation!
Eminem stands tall as Recovery sits pretty at the top of Billboard Top 200 Chart for the third straight week.
Is 
Mariah is back with a new single, “Obsessed,” that will appear on her upcoming album “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.” The central theme of the track is Mimi asking: “why you so obsessed with me?” I don’t know, Mimi, are we really obsessed with you? I think not.
Return of the Smooth Operator? – R&B heads rejoice, Sade is back in the studio and expected to spend the rest of the month working on new material with her band (original members). Its been nine years since we last heard her sweet alto tone on Lover’s Rock and we have missed her ever since. Sony hopes to release the album at the end of this year and let’s face it, that is a holiday gift we’d all love to hear. It will be a happy new year indeed because once again love will be king.
Is Lambert the next Queen (keep the jokes to yourself people) – Legendary rock band Queen is considered putting the band back together with a new lead singer, the front-runner… Adam Lambert. Guitarist Brian May told Rolling Stone, “I’d definitely like to work with Adam. That is one amazing instrument he has there.” Since the passing of Freddie Mercury in 1991, no one has been able to fill his shoes. Is Adam the heir-apparent? He definitely has the voice for it.
