Jay Z’s “4:44” is presently exclusive to Sprint/TIDAL, and it is unclear whether streaming data will be reported for chart purposes (the Sprint-purchased downloads/sales would not count regardless).
If those streams go unreported, the Billboard 200 consumption race will likely come down to Calvin Harris’ “Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1” and DJ Khaled’s “Grateful.”
According to Hits Daily Double, Harris’ new album should generate 57-62,000 US consumption units this week. “Grateful” is pacing for 55-60,000.
Consumption units, as a reminder, include traditional album sales, TEA (track sales/10) and SEA (track streams/1500).
The only other album in the mix from a consumption standpoint is Kendrick Lamar’s enduring “DAMN.,” which is expected to generate 50-55,000 units this week.
— While it is not in contention for #1 on the Billboard 200 (it may actually miss the Top 5), Stone Sour’s new “Hydograd” may post the week’s best pure album sales total.
Hits says the album is on track for 28-32,000 pure US sales this week. As of press time, the only clear challenger from a sales standpoint is “Funk Wav Bounces” (projected for 22-25,000).
A win in the pure sales race would earn “Hydrograd” #1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart.
