Rappers Help Chris Brown Hit No. 1 on The Charts

Hip-hop's go-to hook man topped the charts with his latest solo album this week, as Chris Brown's Fortune came in at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

The offering, which is his fifth solo album, sold nearly 135,000 units in its first week on shelves and at digital retailers, which was enough to give him his second consecutive No. 1, following up 2011's F.A.M.E.. The RCA release features Nas on the song "Mirage," as well as Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa on the single "Till I Die." In addition, there is production from hip-hop hitmakers like Tha Bizness, The Runners, Boi-1da and Polow Da Don.

It was a relatively quiet week for rap releases, however. Flo Rida's latest, Wild Ones, sold 31,000 copies, landing at No. 14 on the charts. Further down, Mobb Deep member Prodigy's solo offering, H.N.I.C. 3 debuted at No. 105, after moving 3,900 discs.

There were a handful of hip-hop albums returning to the charts, as well. In its second week, the Maybach Music Group compilation, Self Made 2, sold 35,000 copies, Which helped it land at No. 12 overall and easily crack the 100,000 sold mark over a two-week span. A little further down, a handful of sophomore albums continue to sell respectably, as B.o.B's Strange Clouds (No. 26), Drake's Take Care (No. 34), Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (No. 45), and Waka Flocka's Triple F Life: Fans, Friends & Family (No. 80), all occupied spots in the top 100. Meanwhile, Big K.R.I.T.'s debut, Live From The Underground, which has now been out for a month, came in at No. 68, with 6,800 sold.

Next week, look out for new releases from singer Frank Ocean, with his Def Jam debut channel ORANGE, and veteran Aesop Rock, with his Skelethon. —Adam Fleischer