BY Jim Farber
According to preliminary estimations from Nielsen-Soundscan, both albums have a shot at the peak position, with tallies of roughly 150,000 each in their first week.
It’s the King of Pop vs. the Kings of Rock.
Sales of Michael Jackson’s “new” album, “Xscape,” have been running neck-in-neck with The Black Keys’ “Turn Blue,” putting them on a collision course for this week’s No. 1 album spot.
According to preliminary estimations from Nielsen-Soundscan, both albums have a shot at the peak position, with tallies of roughly 150,000 each in their first week.
“Xscape” disinters eight songs from the Jackson vaults, updating each with new instrumentation and arrangements from star producers like Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins. It’s the second posthumous work assembled by Jackson’s label, following “Michael,” which debuted at No. 3 back in December of 2011.
That album opened with sales of 228,000 and racked up a total figure of 541,000, according to SoundScan.
“Xscape” would be the seventh No. 1 disc for Jackson.
“Turn Blue” would be the Keys’ first chart-topping start. Their previous album, 2011’s “El Camino,” opened at No. 2 and was their best selling work, with a total tally of 1.4 million.
Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart will be published Wednesday morning.
In the meantime, Jackson has enjoyed a p.r. boost from Sunday night’s Billboard Music Awards. It featured a hologram of the late icon dancing along to the “new” song, “Slave To The Rhythm.”
Source: NYDailyNews / Jim Farber / MJ-Upbeat.com
Article: HERE
Above: Black Keys Album
Below: MJ #Xscape
Michael Jackson is without a doubt the king. When i listen to his songs i feel as he is still alive. Certainly one of the most significant pop music superstars ever!