David Bowie's “Blackstar” dethrones Adele's “25” on Billboard 200 chart

PanARMENIAN.Net - David Bowie collects his first No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with "Blackstar". Released through ISO/Columbia records on January 8, just two days before the musician passed away at the age of 69 of cancer, it sells 181,000 equivalent album units, AceShowbiz reports citing Nielsen Music.

With 174,000 in pure album sales, the album posts Bowie's biggest sales week in Nielsen's era. His previous best week came from "The Next Day" that sold 85,000 copies upon its arrival in 2013.

"Blackstar" isn't the only Bowie album that lands in the top 10 of Billboard 200 after his death. His "Best of Bowie" compilation hits a new peak as it bows at No. 4 this week with 94,000 units. When it was first released in 2002, it could only reach No. 7 on the same chart.

With his two albums at No. 1 and No. 4, Bowie is now one of only a few acts to have two titles charting simultaneously in Billboard 200's top 4. The last to do so was Adele, who achieved the feat in March 2012 when her "21" stays at No. 1 while its predecessor "19" jumped to No. 4 following her performance and six wins at the 2012 Grammy Awards.

Speaking of Adele, the British beauty's latest effort "25" now falls to No. 2 on Billboard 200 with another 143,000 units after spending seven consecutive weeks at the top slot. Justin Bieber's "Purpose" also slips one rung to No. 3 with 104,000 units.

Twenty One Pilots' "Blurryface" and The Weeknd's "Beauty Behind the Madness" both dip two spots to No. 5 and No. 6 with 43,000 and 39,000, respectively. Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton's "Traveller" is a non-mover at No. 7 with 33,000.

The rest of this week's top 10 is made up of Bryson Tiller's "T R A P S O U L" that rises from No. 9 to No. 8 with 33,000, G-Eazy's "When It's Dark Out" that climbs four rungs to No. 9 with 29,000 and Fetty Wap's self-titled set that descends from No. 8 to No. 10 with 29,000.