On September 8, Jay-Z released his latest studio album, “The Blueprint 3,” refusing to even taken notice of the fact that the album had leaked on the Internet in complete form just a week before the official release.
At the time, the rapper called the leak a “preview,” saying he wasn’t going to fight – as it turns out, he never had any reason to fear it would dwindle album sales at all, as the album is poised to go platinum, thus beating the previous record held by Elvis Presley,
Billboard informs.
According to the music publication, until “The Blueprint 3” came out, Elvis had the most number-one albums in the US chart, but that changed in the week of release, with Jay-Z moving an impressive 475,000 copies.
The album broke into the top 200 and is poised to go platinum in the weeks to come, which virtually makes Jay-Z the new king of the charts with the biggest number of number-one albums.
Given the economy and poor music sales of recent years, Billboard points out, beating The King is not an easy task, but Jay-Z has managed it nonetheless, even considering the early leak of the finished album. “Run this chart: With the 400th debut ever at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Jay-Z notches his 11th chart-topping album with ‘The Blueprint 3.’ With his grand entrance, Jay-Z passes Elvis Presley as the solo act with the most No. 1 albums in the 53-year history of the Billboard 200. ‘The Blueprint 3’ also starts atop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Rap Albums, Digital Albums and Top Comprehensive Albums. On Rap Songs, the set’s ‘Run This Town,’ with Rihanna and Kanye West, becomes Jay-Z’s first No. 1 since ‘Izzo (H.O.V.A.)’ led for nine weeks in 2001.” Billboard says.
The only category where Elvis still dominates the charts is the Hot 100 charted songs, where he settles with 108, while Jay-Z is still far behind, with 58, including two new arrivals off “The Blueprint 3,” “Empire State of Mind” and “Young Forever.” However, even here Jay-Z breaks some records, outperforming the likes of Rolling Stones (with 57 entries), Marvin Gaye, Frankie Valli and Dionne Warwick (with 56 each), Billboard also says.
A full list of the eleven albums that have helped Jay-Z bring down The King in the charts is included below, as per Billboard:
- 1998, “Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life;”
- 2000, “Vol. 3... Live and Times of S. Carter;”
- 2000, “The Dynasty Roc La Familia (2000--);”
- 2001, “The Blueprint;”
- 2002, “The Blueprint 2: The Gift and the Curse;”
- 2003, “The Black Album;”
- 2004, “Unfinished Business,” R. Kelly & Jay-Z;
- 2004, “MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups Presents: Collision Course,” Jay-Z/Linkin Park;
- 2006, “Kingdom Come;”
- 2007, “American Gangster;”
- 2009, “The Blueprint 3.”
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