As male R&B singers of the millennium go, few can claim the consistent chart triumphs of EGOT winner John Legend.
Since first lifting his debut studio album, ‘Get Lifted,’ to the top 5 of the Billboard 200 in 2004, the singer-songwriter succeeded that win with a string of hits – watching the five traditional studio efforts that followed (‘Once Again,’ ‘Evolver,’ ‘Love in the Future,’ ‘Darkness & Light,’ and ‘Bigger Love’) enjoy big openings in the tally’s top 20.
And while more of the same was expected with his latest offering, the September 9-released ‘Legend,’ a refreshed print of the Billboard 200 reveals John’s charting trajectory has taken quite the detour.
Details inside:
John Legend’s ‘Legend’
First Week Sales (SPS): <11,000 units
Billboard 200 Debut: #59
The first release under the crooner’s recently signed deal with Republic Records, ‘Legend’ premiered at #59 on the new Billboard 200.
Arguably the result of its soft promotional roll out due to the obligations of his ongoing ‘Love in Las Vegas’ residency, the project – which houses the critically acclaimed tunes ‘Dope’ (featuring JID), ‘Honey’ (featuring Muni Long), and ‘All She Wanna Do’ (featuring Saweetie) – marks John’s first album to hit digital shelves without a Hot 100-charting single to precede it.
Consequently, ‘Legend’ not only opened with his lowest first-week sales to date but also premiered outside of the hit list’s top 20 – a first in his nearly 20-year career.
Look below to see who joins him on the refreshed ‘TGJ Chart Check: Billboard 200’ edition.
Literally a singles artist. No one cares
Desperate features and overall same ol approach as the last album…. shouldve waited and called Kanye.
Next time, but he is Legend irreguardless
So you have a brand new double album, your first release at a new record label, and not promoting it because you had a Las Vegas residency? I would love to know the logic behind that thinking. The folks at his label are probably sitting in the boardroom thinking ‘why did we sign this loser?’
My advice, get rid of that wife. She’s dragging your career down to the depths of the ocean.
it’s litteraly way too long.. ofc its gonna flop
I’m so happy !! This man literally was jealous of r Kelly and thought he would be the new king of r&b lol ! Sorry John
It’s not good. He needs 60s samples and Kanye.