Update 2: The projections have strengthened. “4 Your Eyez Only” is on track for 400-425K US album sales and 550-575K total US units.
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Update: As of press time at 6:45PM ET, J. Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only” remains the #1 album on the US iTunes sales chart.
Initial sales and consumption projections are massive. Based on very early data, Hits Daily Double says the album could post a first-week US consumption total (album sales + track sales/10 + track streams/1500) in the 400-500,000 range.
Firmer projections should emerge in the next few days.
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Music fans are resoundingly declaring that J. Cole’s new album “4 Your Eyez Only” is for their eyes (and ears).
Shortly after its release Thursday night, the explicit version of the album shot to #1 on the US iTunes album sales chart. It maintains that position as of 2:15AM ET.
Pentatonix’s “A Pentatonix Christmas” — on track to easily rank as the year’s top holiday album — is #2 on the chart. Post Malone’s new “Stoney” is #3, ahead of “The Hamilton Mixtape” (#4) and Tech N9ne’s new “The Storm” (#5).
The Weeknd’s “Starboy” (#6), Ab-Soul’s new “Do What Thou Wilt” (#7), the clean version of “4 Your Eyez Only” (#8), Grace VanderWaal’s “Perfectly Imperfect” EP (#9) and The Rolling Stones’ “Blue & Lonesome” (#10) complete the Top 10.
Specific sales projections for the week’s key new releases should emerge this weekend.
