[WEEKLY SALES] Future Makes History with ‘HNDRXX’ and ‘FUTURE’

James Donio, President of the Music Business Association (Music Biz), commented on this week’s sales numbers issued by Nielsen (published in Billboard) and BuzzAngle Music (published in HITS Daily Double):

“Prolific Hip-Hop artist Future made history on the Nielsen and BuzzAngle Music charts this week, becoming the first person on either chart to notch back-to-back #1 debuts. His second new album in two weeks, HNDRXX, was able to edge out last week’s #1 debut, FUTURE, making him the first artist since Simon & Garfunkel in 1968 to replace himself at the chart’s summit (when non-debuts are factored in) and the first since Prince last year to hold #1 and #2 at the same time. HNDRXX is Future’s fifth #1 album, the earliest of which was released just two years ago in 2015. It’s a fantastic accomplishment that bodes extremely well for his career going forward. Other notable debuts this week include Music Biz 2016 Artist of the Year Little Big Town, who land at #4 on both charts with The Breaker, and Aaron Watson, who takes #10 on the Billboard 200 with Vaquero. Last Sunday’s Academy Awards also fueled strong surges for the Trolls, Moana, and La La Land soundtracks, which all had songs performed during the telecast. Trolls jumped to #5 on both charts, Moana leapt to #8 on both charts, and La La Land reached #9 on the BuzzAngle chart. Next week, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Divide), which sold more than 200,000 copies in just one day in the U.K. If industry predictions hold true, he could be in for a huge debut in the U.S. as well.”