The Black Keys vs. Michael Jackson for No. 1 on Billboard 200

 

Billboard (May 14th 2014):

 

"The new albums from the Black Keys and Michael Jackson are both in the running for the No. 1 slot on next week's Billboard 200 chart.

 

As of May 14, the Black Keys' eighth album, "Turn Blue", has the edge over Jackson's "Xscape", but not by much. Industry forecasters suggest the former may sell upwards of 150,000 copies in the week ending May 18, while "Xscape" could sell 140,000. The first-week sales on "Xscape" might be amplified by a special experience celebrating Jackson during the Billboard Music Awards (May 18).

 

Other albums aiming for high debuts on the Billboard 200 include Rascal Flatts' "Rewind", Dolly Parton's "Blue Smoke" and Tori Amos' "Unrepentant Geraldines"."

 

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/608...n-billboard-200

 

 

 

HITS DAILY DOUBLE: WEEKEND CHART PREVIEW

 

HDD (May 15, 2014)

• Michael Jackson (Epic) 145-155k (NEW)
• The Black Keys (Nonesuch/Warner Bros.) 145-155k (NEW)
• Now 50 (NOW) 75-80k
• Frozen (Walt Disney) 65-70k
• Rascal Flatts (Big Machine) 55-60k (NEW)
• Dolly Parton (Sony Masterworks) 35-40k (NEW)
• Hunter Hayes (Atlantic) 18-21k
• Tori Amos (Mercury) 17-19k (NEW)
• Pharrell Williams (Columbia) 15-17K
• Michael W. Smith (Sparrow) 15-17k (NEW)
• Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville) 14-16k
• Keith Urban (Capitol Nashville) 13-15k
• Sarah McLachlan (Verve) 13-15k
• Chromeo (Atlantic) 13-15k (NEW)
• Florida Georgia Line (Republic Nashville) 12-14k

http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/rumormill.cgi

 

 

 

Michael Jackson, Black Keys Vie for No. 1

 

Billboard (May 16th 2014):

 

"There's a race for No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, as both Michael Jackson's "Xscape" and the Black Keys' "Turn Blue" have their sights set on the top slot. Industry sources suggest both albums -- which were released on Tuesday, May 13 -- could sell between 150,000 and 155,000 copies in the week ending Sunday, May 18.

 

Country band Rascal Flatts may nab its ninth top 10 with "Rewind", Dolly Parton could score her highest charting solo album ever with "Blue Smoke," and Tori Amos is primed to collect her eighth top 10 with "Unrepentant Geraldines". "Rewind" may sell around 55,000 to 60,000, while "Blue Smoke" could sell something near 40,000. Amos' album might do 18,000."

 

http://www.billboard.com/articles/6091989/...1-billboard-200

 

 

 

Nielsen SoundScan Building Chart

 

** 01 Michael Jackson - Xscape (NEW)

** 02 The Black Keys - Turn Blue (NEW)

01 03 Now 50

** 04 Rascal Flatts - Rewind (NEW)

02 05 Frozen Soundtrack

** 06 Chromeo - White Women (NEW)

** 07 Dolly Parton - Blue Smoke (NEW)

03 08 Hunter Hayes - Storyline

51 09 Keith Urban - Fuse

RE 10 Demi Lovato - Demi

 

Reflects first 4 days (Monday - Thursday) reported by six merchants (iTunes, Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Starbucks, Target & Anderson Merchandisers), estimated to account for 85% of album sales.

 

http://www.billboard.com/articles/6091989/...1-billboard-200

 

 

I really hope The Black Keys can take this! Would be such an accomplishment for them, though quite poor for Michael I guess (not that he gives a shit :drama:). Great numbers for them in any case though ^_^