Rapper West debuts at No. 1 on US charts

[sabra]

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=musicNews&storyID=2005-09-07T171141Z_01_YUE761787_RTRIDST_0_MUSIC-WEST-SALES-DC.XML

Rapper West debuts at No. 1 on US charts

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Kanye West was top of the class on Wednesday as his second release "Late Registration" opened at No. 1 on the U.S. pop charts.

After a few weeks of relatively low-key activity on the Billboard 200, West led a slew of high-profile debuts by G-Unit's Tony Yayo, Brooks & Dunn, Death Cab For Cutie, Casting Crowns, Rihanna, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan. After two weeks at No. 1, Hilary Duff's hits package fell to No. 8.

The highly-anticipated "Registration" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) sold 860,000 copies in the week ended September 4, according to Nielsen SoundScan, besting the nearest competition by more than 600,000. The total is nearly double the outspoken producer/rapper's previous high water mark, achieved when his 2004 debut, "The College Dropout," opened at No. 2 with 441,000 units. That Grammy-winning set has sold 2.7 million to date.

Along with being embroiled in a lawsuit with a Chicago DJ over an alleged forged recording agreement, West has been in the news following his highly-charged comments against President George W. Bush during last week's NBC Universal Hurricane Katrina telethon. He is slated to take part in another such event, MTV/VH1/CMT's "ReACT Now" benefit, on Saturday.

[wake.up.america]

1. Never been a big fan of rap, hip-hop and the like- I be will listening...

more in the future as a result of West's comments.

[AlCzervik]

6. I love the song "Gold Digger" it has a sense of humor plus

Jaime Foxx.

[sendero]

2. It's funny...

... a couple weeks ago I'd never heard of Kayne West. My son asked me if I'd ever heard him and I said no. He gave me a couple tracks off his new album, which he'd been listening to a lot and really liked, and I listened to them.

Then the guy goes on TV and says what so few in America have the guts to say. And overnight he's one of my favorite people.

I'm still deciding whether I like his music, but now I've got a reason to :)

[LostinVA]

3. I'm buying one and I do not like hip hop

Akin to those who bought the Dixie Chicks when Natalie the Great slammed Fearless Leader.

I've always liked West, even more so when he recently spoke out against the homophobic lyrics in hip hop, even more now. He rocks...!

[Melodybe]

5. I'm getting it from itunes later today, I'm stoked

[AlCzervik]

7. it's a really good album imo, i don't like all rap but this is worth

the price.

[Teaser]

4. Good measure of public opinion.

Not what people say to pollsters. But what they're willing to shell out cash for.

[Dr Fate]

8. I'll buy his hit on I-tunes.

n/t

[MellowOne]

9. Good for him

I love his music!

[KamaAina]

10. Kanye said it!

And I was listenin'!

Go/Geaux Kanye!

[miss_kitty]

11. And remember-he wants to donate as much as he can to the

relief effort. I haven't bought a CD in over a year, but I may just grab up one of these, just to show I support him. I haven't heard him, but I like hiphop, so I'm sure I'll like it.

[mvd]

12. Good for Kanye!

I can tolerate his music, and I'm not a rap fan at all.