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Kanye ties number one streak with new album
NEW YORK, June 11, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Headline-grabbing rapper Kanye West has
tied the record for the longest streak of albums to hit number one on the US
chart with his latest release, “Ye.”
The album debuted at the top on the benchmark Billboard 200 chart
announced late Sunday, marking his eighth straight release to reach number
one — tying West with The Beatles in their heyday as well as fellow rapper
Eminem.
“Ye” sold 208,000 albums or the equivalent in downloads and streaming in
the week through Thursday, tracking service Nielsen Music said, easily
topping the chart’s number two, rapper Post Malone’s “beerbongs and
bentleys.”
West released “Ye” after going silent for a year due to mental health
issues. He returned by making characteristic waves on social media, notably
by becoming a rare African American celebrity to voice support for President
Donald Trump.
With rhymes about his latest controversies, a throwback sound of soul
samples and at only seven tracks, “Ye” was less ambitious than many works by
West, who had become known for his sprawling opuses.
West has reached number one with all of his studio albums except his
debut, 2004’s “The College Dropout,” and also topped the chart with a
collaborative album with Jay-Z, “Watch the Throne,” from 2011.
West returned Friday with yet another seven-track album, “Kids See
Ghosts,” a collaboration with his protege Kid Cudi.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1055 hrs