Jay-Z American Gangster First Day Sales

Not that I actually care, but since most of you have become “internet A&Rs”, Jay-Z’s sales of American Gangster appear to be a “non-event” unlike the spectacle the Kanye Vs. Fifty sales race was. In fact, if Amazon.com is any indication of the first week sales, it looks as if Jay’s sales will not eclipse last year’s Kingdom Come (which sold 680,000 in its first week) as it is currently sitting at #8 on Amazon.

However, Jay-Z’s American Gangster album has made it to #1 on The Billboard 200 with an estimated 179,000 units scanned in the first day according to 79% of retailers polled. This puts Jay-Z in a two way tie with Elvis for having 10 albums at the #1 spot on Billboard. Both artists are behind The Beatles who have 19 albums chart. Knowing the kind of competitor Jay is, I think we are in for about 10 more Jay-Z albums.

I’m glad the American Gangster album is not being hyped up so much as it gives the music time to breathe…like it used to be. No one cared about album sales, or even know what The Billboard was. Jay seems to have planned it this way as his album is a throw back to when albums were a complete work of art, instead of radio friendly singles. Though, I’m sure American Gangster will sell decent, it wont be a blockbuster as “the kids” don’t seem to like it. I know, I know everyone’s waiting for Tha Carter 3.