Mary J. Blige & Rihanna are going head to head for the kick-off of 2011 holiday shopping week. The first week sales estimates are now in.
According to HITS Daily Double, Rihanna’s latest Talk That Talk, featuring the chart-topping single “We Found Love,” is on track to sell 180-200,000 copies in its first week based on early estimates. Her previous effort LOUD opened with 207,000 in November 2010.
The Queen, Mary J. Blige returns to the charts with My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act I). The sequel to her 1994 classic My Life is poised to move 120-140,000 units in week one. The R&B veteran’s 2009 album Stronger with Each Tear debuted at No. 2 with 332,000.
Nickelback (225-250,000) and Drake will vie for the top spot on next week’s Billboard 200. The Young Money star’s sophomore effort Take Care enters at No. 1 this week with sales around 650,000.
These numbers could see a boost with the kickoff to the holiday shopping season on Black Friday. Final figures will be released next Wednesday.
Personal note: Hopefully Mary picks up, her album is excellent and deserving of the same #’s as 2009’s Stronger…
