New York, NY (February 29, 2008) – Alicia Keys vaulted her way past Brit import Amy Winehouse this week, settling back in at #2 on the Billboard 200, but the sexy songstress still fell short of surfer/singer Jack Johnson for the top spot.

Michael Jackson’s re-issue “Thriller 25” technically sold more that Keys’ “As I Am,” but MJ’s latest has been deemed a Catalog by Billboard and therefore does not factor into current weekly tabulations; for the record, Jacko moved 54,500 copies, while Keys scanned 50,600 (she’s now up to 3.15 million after 15 weeks, people).  Her smash single “No One” is still Top 5 on the Billboard 100, and “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” is at #14, steadily gaining ground as the lower half of the Top 10 begins to realign itself.

The insanely talented Winehouse Trainwreck slides down one spot to #3 this week, moving 46,000 copies of her Grammy-winning “Back To Black.”  Gaining some new fans with her emotional, captivating performance that night, Wino now sees her 50-week total at 1.7 million.  Behind her, the Queen of Hip-hop & Soul Music Mary J. Blige is holding it down at #9, moving another 34,900 of “Growing Pains.”  The perennially platinum Blige has a 10-week total of 1.3 million, and should see that figure maintain it’s steady course as she kicks off her tour with Jay-Z.

Speaking of the Jigga Man, son finally took his critically acclaimed, themed “American Gangster” album past the platinum mark this period, his 16th week.  That acclaim hasn’t translated to sales, however; the album has been mired outside of the Top 50 for most of 2008.  Jim Jones’ “Harlem’s American Gangster” did not fare well it it’s debut either, moving a slight 22,000, setting in at #24.  The not-so-subtle jab at Jay-Z (and Dame Dash’s scathing intro) apparently didn’t sway opinions of the consumer, and you’ve gotta wonder what the next move is for DipSet…

But hold up, pump the brakes… skipping backwards a bit, Keyshia Cole finds herself at #12 this week, scanning another 29,900 copies of “Just Like You.”  After 22 weeks, her sophomore LP sits at a comfortable total of 1.2 million.  Chris Brown follows right behind Coles at #13 with “Exclusive,” also his sophomore effort.  While son hasn’t been able to supplant Flo Rida at #1 on the Billboard 100, the Young Boy has #2 on lock, as “With You” continues it’s baby-makin reign all over the U.S.  “Kiss, Kiss” of course is still hot at #29 and “No Air,” Brown’s rousing duet with Jordin Sparks, continues to climb the charts, this week up ten spots to #13.  He moved 29,400 copies of “Exclusive” this sales period, giving him a 13-week total of 1.3 million.  Wall 2 wall…

You heard it here first, folks – Lupe Fiasco, who’s seen his Mathew Santos-assisted banger “Superstar” get heavy spins on Top 40 radio (z100 here in NYC, the biggest radio station in the country, is LOVING that song right now) and debuted “Paris, Tokyo” on Leno the other night, is in for a BIG spring and summer.  The Windy City-alum moved 19,500 of his second LP, “The Cool,” giving him a 10-week total of 358,900, a figure that will surely go up as he reaches more and more fans on Kanye’s “Glow In The Dark” tour.  If he could just shut his mouth and rap, I’d be his biggest fan.

Black Eyed Pea Fergie moved more records this week, her hit single “Clumsy” tripping the rest of the Billboard Hot 100 up at #17.  “The Dutchess” scanned 18,700 copies this week, good for a 75-week (yes, that’s almost a year and a half) total of 3.5 million records.  Who would have thought “My Humps” would generate so much interest.  Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.

The-Dream continued rolling, climbing ten spots to #46 this week, selling another 18,400 copies of his debut album, “Love/Hate.”  In 11 weeks, duke has amassed a sales total of 244,500.  Coming off song-writing hits for J. Holiday (“Bed”) and Rihanna (“Umbrella” – with that Garage Band drum loop), Dream was a true bright spot for Def Jam in 2007 and looks to continue that this year.  Aha, I’d be lazy if I didn’t segue that into a mention that Rihanna and her “Good Girl Gone Bad” album dropped in at #38 this week, those lovely legs pushing another 18,400 copies off the shelf (more “Shut Up & Drive” videos please). The Caribbean shortie has a total of 1.08 million in her 38th week.  And the aforementioned J. Holiday climbed back up into the Top 50 at #49, selling 15,500 copies of “Back of My ‘Lac,” good for a 21 week total of 539,900.

After moving 15,600 copies of his debut, “souljaboytellem.com,” Soulja Boy sees his 21-week total now at 799,400.  He’s at #47 on the Billboard 200, ahead of both Jay-Z and Kanye West.  And just about every other rapper out there.  Thankfully, we know chart position is not ALWAYS directly related to skills.  WTF.

Last week we mentioned the releases of Janet Jackson, Erykah Badu, Webbie, Shawty Lo and Cheri Dennis.  Be on the look for their splash next week.  Til then… * ahem * we’ll be watching.

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