Rapper Jay-Z Takes On Elvis For Most #1 Albums

[Elano]

If all goes Jay-Z's way, the rap mogul will tie rock legend Elvis for the most number one albums in history, a feat that depends on the success of the rapper's American Gangster album.
Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, landed his ninth number one album last year with Kingdom Come, which sold about 680,000 in its first week, the rapper's best to date.
The Kingdom Come album put Jay-Z in a tie with another iconic rock act, The Rolling Stones, who have landed number nine number one albums throughout their 40-year career. If Jay-Z's American Gangster sells well, only The Beatles would have offered the music world more number one albums, with an incredible 19.
American Gangster's main opposition include Cassidy’s highly anticipated album B.A.R.S. and Nas' Greatest Hits package which landed in stores today (November 6) as well. 

In related news, Jay-Z announced that the American Gangster album will not be available on iTunes.
"As movies are not sold scene by scene, this collection will not be sold as individual singles," Jay-Z said, noting that the album could be purchased online at Rocafella.com, Amazon.com and Rhapsody.com. In addition to debuting a video for "Roc Boys" this week, Jay-Z will be featured on VH1's Storytellers series, which airs on November 8.

[Bulldog - Your Not Gafflin Nobody]

In related news, Jay-Z announced that the American Gangster album will not be available on iTunes.
"As movies are not sold scene by scene, this collection will not be sold as individual singles," Jay-Z said, noting that the album could be purchased online at Rocafella.com, Amazon.com and Rhapsody.com.

word

[WestCoasta]

yea homie fuck that whiteboy Elvis

[Sofa_King_Awesome]

yea homie fuck that whiteboy Elvis

[Shallow]

Why even bother comparing the two? Elvis was popular in a tme where singles outsold albums and the single was the big ticket. Elvis had 18 #1 singles. I think Jay has zero #1 singles.

And a number 1 album means nothing these days. 20 years ago in 1987 there were only 9 #1 albums all year. Springsteen's Live Box Set, Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet, Beasties Boys' Licensed To Ill, U2's Joshua Tree, Whitney Houston's Whitney, The La Bamba Soundtrack, MJ's Bad, Springsteen's Tunnel of Love, and the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack. 9 Albums. That's it.

This year so far we have 33 or 34 different #1 albums with still two months to go and a possible 6 or 7 more number 1 albums. The market these days is built towards a strong build before an album is released with a huge release date and a lot of money behind it and then the album falls flat. Kanye sold over a million in week one and still hasn't reached 2 million yet and can barely break 30,000 sales a week just over a month after the release.

I'll consider Jey Z a success when he can hold the number #1 spot for over 5 weeks. Prince'ss Purple Rain was released on June 25th 1984. It didn't enter the #1 spot until Augsust 4th 1984 and it stayed in that spot untouched until January 12th 1985 with 24 weeks at #1. Thriller took 2 to 3 months before it hit number 1 and it ended up going platinum every week for like 15 weeks straight.

Jay Z could release an album ever 3 months, plan it so it always drops on a slow week and push for that first week sales and end up with 30 #1 albums but none of them will go more than platinum, if even. And he'd end up losing money on all the pre-release promotion.