‘QUEEN’ first week sales!
After a controversial media run and even going to social platforms to vent, the official sales for Nicki Minaj’s QUEEN album has finally be released. Through Nielsen Music data, Nicki’s Queen album debut at no. 2 on Billboard with 185,000 in first week album sales, which 78,000 were in traditional sales. The effort is behind Travis Scott’s Astroworld LP, as the Houston rapper spends his second week at no. 1 down from 537,000 to 205,000 equivalent album units.
Nicki’s new project also becomes the second-largest week for a female artist this year, coming behind Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy (255,000 units in week one). Considering Ms. Minaj has an upcoming tour with Future this fall, remixes and new music visuals on deck – we’re assuming the effort will have a steady place on the charts. Let us know in the comments what you think.
Travis sold over 50K of these. With no requirement of redeeming the album! With no dates for a tour, etc. I spoke to him. He knows he doesn’t have the #1 album this week. I love my fans for the #1 album in AMERICA! I’ll explain on #QueenRadio 4 albums in, #1 in 86 countries ♥️ pic.twitter.com/CiYEuczgm3
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
My first album sold 400K. No one is doing that with debut albums now. So I’m so grateful. I lost out on 12 hours of sales and did 200K in one week after I was supposedly cancelled. I bit my tongue last #QueenRadio but I won’t On Tuesday. I love you guys so much
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
I looked at the numbers the Carters, Kanye, Nas, etc recently did. Travis sold 200K in his first week of clothes alone. I spoke to him last night & he said he’s been selling clothes b4 the music. Billboard says they’ll change the rules cuz of this, so it should be changed now!
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
I put my blood sweat & tears in writing a dope album only for Travis Scott to have Kylie Jenner post a tour pass telling ppl to come see her & Stormi. lol. Im actually laughing. #Queen broke the record of being number 1 in 86 countries. Thank Jesus & thank you to my fans.
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
My label didn’t want to defend me for fear of Spotify trying to teach Ariana a “lesson” too! https://t.co/1dAdbcbWVd
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
My music went up on Apple so I played it. I assumed it was on Spotify & Tidal at the same time. Spotify said that Apple tweeted fans advising #Queen was up & therefore they had to teach me a lesson. But PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!!!!
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Spotify had to teach me a lesson but rewarded the man who has had an Apple radio show the longest; inadvertently helping the Apple platform the most. Oh I can’t wait for #QueenRadio on Tuesday. They took away my promotion they had promised for the 1st cpl days b/c of this. #Queen
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Spotify put drake’s face on every playlist but told me they’d have to teach me a lesson for playing my music 10 mins early on #QueenRadio. Even tho they’ve been giving away my music for free for years & I am one of the top Spotify artists of all time.
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Do you know how many women get systematically blackballed out of their positions in an office building & can’t fight back?????
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Do you know how many people subscribe to my Spotify page?????
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
People are calling me thinking I’m huffing & puffing. Omg y’all this is sarcasm/dry humor. Yikes. I’m having the most iconNIC time. Come let me kiss you. 😩😘😘😘 Who’s coming to the secret show? When people call me & hear me crackin up laughing they seem so puzzled. Loosen up 😅
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
But I did write a new freestyle n I’ll record it later. I felt it was time. #Queen pic.twitter.com/TEoKWGtYxh
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Nicki called me reporting her album selling 190k fake news only to find out she sold lower. I’m logging off. Goodnight.
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) August 19, 2018
I imagine Travis Scott picking up Nicki Minaj call and saying “You Right sis… u #1 this week… “ then hanging up and laughing his ass off with Kylie n stormi while they refresh billboard 💀
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) August 19, 2018
Rappers are professional liars. Been said that. I don’t want none of y’all ever to refer to anything I’m associated with as fake news ever again in your life.
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) August 19, 2018
Nicki pulling a Kobe and throwing Drake under the bus basically saying we did the same sh*t but I’m the only one who got penalized. 😂💀. I’m waiting on the Spotify = Fake Streams tweet.
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) August 19, 2018
Somebody tell Nicki to use the “Drake didn’t Post my album” excuse .. that one works well n it’s actually true lol
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) August 19, 2018
UPDATE: Spotify responds to Nicki’s claims of late-support and not being behind her:
“Spotify supported Nicki Minaj with a Times Square billboard, a host of the largest playlists, New Music Friday and the new music release shelf,” the rep said. “Her song ‘Bed’ actually saw an increase based on the promotions put behind the campaign. The company continues to be big fans of Nicki.”
Akademiks & Nicki Get into Heated Exchange Over ‘Queen’ Album
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