Not victimized by misleading early interest, J. Cole’s “2014 Forest Hills Drive” still looks hot as the weekend approaches.
According to Hits Daily Double, the album will debut at #1 on next week’s sales chart with 335-355,000 first week copies. Likely to receive another 20,000 credits from track equivalent album and streaming equivalent album data, “Forest Hills” will also claim the top spot on the revamped Billboard 200.
Billboard shares in Hits’ forecast of a #1 bow but offers a more conservative estimate. “The set may sell over 325,000,” says the publication.
Taylor Swift’s “1989,” which has spent five total weeks at number one, is due to slip to the #2 slot next week with sales in the 260-275,000 range and a total Billboard unit count in the 300-325,000 ballpark.
Pentatonix’ smash “That’s Christmas to Me” should follow with a sales total in the 190-200,000 range and a total unit score between 205-215,000. Carrie Underwood’s “Greatest Hits: Decade #1” (~85-90,000 sales, 90-95,000 total units) and AC/DC’s “Rock or Bust” (~80-85,000 sales, 85-90,000 total units) will close out the top five from a sales standpoint. Thanks to heavy streaming and track activity, Sam Smith’s “In the Lonely Hour” (~55-60,000 sales, 85-90,000 total units) could enter that mix on the new Billboard 200.
As far as debuts go, K. Michelle’s “Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart” will join the new J. Cole and Carrie Underwood albums in the top ten. Her album is set to move about 75-80,000 sales and rack up 80-85,000 total Billboard units.