Rihanna Trumps Chris Brown In Sales Battle

Though it wasn’t an official soundscan battle, Rihanna’s, “Rated R” album has officially trumped Chris Brown’s “Graffiti” LP.


Released two weeks ahead, Rihanna’s, “Rated R” landed safely at the no. 4 slot on the Billboard 200 chart— selling an impressive 181,000 copies in its first seven days in stores. The album was supported with numerous appearances, several singles that included visuals and two album release shows held in London and New York City.

Chris’ “Graffiti” opus, which hit retailers the same day as Snoop Dogg’s, “Malice In Wonderland,” Gucci Mane’s “The State Vs Radric Davis,” The Clipse’s “Til The Casket Drops,” came in at no. 7 on Billboard 200 moving a solid 102,000 copies. Though breaking 100k is an impressive feat in today’s economy, Brown’s labeled shipped 400,000 copies of the project— indicating that only 40% of the albums were bought.

Earlier in the week, Chris complained that major retail outlets were blackballing his project by not stocking the set on their shelves. In response, a representative from Wal-Mart revealed that they in fact are carrying the CD, but it’s just not moving as expected.

"Not only am I carrying it, I am over carrying it, because it isn't selling," said the head of purchasing at one large chain. "I wish I could return it."

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