Jim Jones Lands In the Top 10, Moves 42,820 Discs In Debut Week On The Charts

New releases from Jim Jones, Slim Thug and DOOM all debuted on the Billboard 200 sales charts this morning (April 1).

With his first solo effort on a major, the Dipset Capo surprisingly failed to match the opening week sales of his last album on indie powerhouse, Koch Records. While Jones’ third disc Hustler’s P.O.M.E. exceeded expectations by moving 106,500 CDs in its first week in 2006 – due in large part to his blockbuster single “We Fly High” - his newest effort Pray IV Reign, only managed to sell 42,820 units, according to the Nielsen SoundScan. The Columbia album landed at no. 9, three spots down from his last CD.

At no. 15 is Houston rap staple Slim Thug, with his solo debut on Koch, Boss of all Bosses. Originally signed to Star Trak/Interscope, Thugga opted to go the indie route this time around because, as he told XXLMag.com, “he never got on the same page” with Interscope’s new staff. The Boss Hog cleared 32,480 discs from the shelves in his first week on the charts.

Indie favorite DOOM, formerly know as MF Doom, grabbed the no. 52 seat this sales cycle. The masked rapper, who hasn’t released a solo album since 2004’s MM…Food?, made an impressive comeback, selling 10,590 copies of his new disc Born Like This. The album, which features appearances by Ghostface Killah and Raekwon as well as production from J Dilla and Jake One, was released on U.K.-based label Lex Records.

Meanwhile, albums by the usual suspects in the top 40 continue to slide down the ranks. In his third week, Def Jam crooner The-Dream fell 10 spots to no. 14. Pulling in an additional 35,970 units this week, Love Vs Money has an overall tally of 242,940.

Dropping 12 spots to no. 24 is T.I.’s latest album Paper Trail. Despite the drastic change in ranking, the album only sold about 650 copies less than last week. Tip scanned 20,070 bar codes this go-around, making his total numbers sit at 1,836,810.

Bad Boy rapper Gorilla Zoe plunged all the way from no. 8 to no. 33. Fans bought 15,500 copies of the ATLien’s sophomore disc Don’t Feed the Animals this sales cycle, bringing his complete figures to 46,820.

Closing out the top 40 is Kanye West, sitting at no. 36. Ye rang up 13,670 more units of 808s and Heartbreak this week, making his total stand at 1,449,510.

Next week look for new releases from UGK, Flo Rida, Bow Wow to debut high on the charts. - Elan Mancini