Initial projections suggest this week’s US album race will end with a split-chart scenario.
Imagine Dragons’ “Evolve” is on track to win for pure US album sales, but DJ Khaled’s “Grateful” may claim the top spot on the consumption-oriented Billboard 200.
Based on opening day sales data, Hits Daily Double expects “Evolve” to sell 80-90,000 pure US copies. A figure in that range would almost certainly be enough for #1 on the Billboard Top Album Sales.
With TEA (track sales/10) and SEA (track streams/1500) included, “Evolve” will likely generate 115-125,000 units. Such a figure would likely earn “Evolve” #2 on the Billboard 200.
DJ Khaled’s “Grateful” is only expected to sell 40-50,000 pure copies, but hefty SEA and TEA lifts will yield a first-week consumption total in the 130-150,000 range. Assuming that outlook holds, “Grateful” will be looking at a #1 bow on the Billboard 200.
