Fans praying to see songstress Kesha‘s name colored atop the Billboard 200 this week with her new album, ‘Rainbow,’ certainly had those prayers answered – and in a big way.

The pop chart-topper – whose time away from album charts was mostly fueled by a highly publicized legal battle with producer Dr. Luke –  launched her latest official era with the top 30 hit, ‘Praying.’ Wowing spectators with a number of live performances while on the promotional circuit, the singer’s impressive vocal deliveries and matured image have gone a long way if first week sales of the LP are to judge by.  According to Billboard…

“…her new effort, Rainbow, bows atop the list. The set, which was released on Aug. 11 through Kemosabe/RCA Records, earned 117,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Aug. 17, according to Nielsen Music. Of that sum, 90,000 were in traditional album sales.”

The handsome figures not only give Kesha the second chart-topper of her career (behind 2010’s ‘Animal’), but come as the second highest first week sales in 2017 for a female album.  Only Katy Perry‘s ‘Witness’ sold more when it debuted to 180,000 in early July!

As congratz are certainly due for the ‘Woman’ wailer, look below to see who joins her in the top 25 this week on TGJ’s ‘Chart Check’:

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After an abbreviated tracking week (thanks to a Thursday release), ‘What About Us’ – the first single from pop rocker P!nk‘s 7th studio album, ‘Beautiful Trauma’ – debuted at #82 on Billboard’s Hot 100 last week.

Thanks to a kickass, empowering music video in its support, the song, which has already powered to the top of digital charts, is now looking to follow suit on the singles charts.  Leaping over 50 spots to report at #29 this week [its first full tracking week], the Steve Mac-produced cut comes as the singer’s first solo top 30 hit from a studio album of her own since 2013’s chart-topper, ‘Just Give Me A Reason’ (overall it’s her first since 2016’s ‘Just Like Fire,’ found on the ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ soundtrack, and the 2016 duet with country star Kenny Chesney titled ‘Setting the World on Fire’).

As we keep our eyes on charts to see just how high ‘Us’ will go on charts, check below to see who joins the pop diva in the top 30 on this week’s refreshed TGJ Chart Check [Billboard Hot 100 edition]:

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The absence of her new album, the follow-up to 2014’s chart-topping, ‘Pinkprint,’ has by no means meant an absence for Nicki Minaj.

This week alone the rapstress made her presence felt in music videos alongside rapper Yo Gotti (‘Rake It Up’) and Katy Perry (‘Swish Swish’), and now the ‘No Frauds’ hitmaker is ready to put a praise on it with gospel songstress Tasha Cobbs-Leonard.

Taking to the mic, Minaj spits:

“Multimillion dollar commercials for Pepsi / From food stamps to more ice than Gretzky / I don’t gotta talk, the Lord defends me / I watched them all fall for going against me / Me and all my angels shot the devil up / While you was trying to pull me down, I leveled up.”

Hear the unexpected collabo inside:

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It’s been far from plain sailing for Hip-Pop star Iggy Azalea.

Three years ago, she topped the charts the world over with hits such ‘Fancy’ and ‘Black Widow.’

Fast forward to today and the climate is altogether frostier.

Sophomore album ‘Digital Distortion’ was supposed to have dropped last year, but a succession of oddly handled singles derailed any hope of that.

Now the Aussie bred beauty sits in a state of limo.

Well, according to her, it won’t be for much longer.

See what we mean below…

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Azealia Banks‘ comeback plans reached a new high last night when she took to New York’s ‘Highline’ to deliver her brand new live show!

One word to describe it? Emotional. For, the performance saw her honour her discography with charismatic servings of several fan-favourites and break down on the very stage she performed them on.

Watch below…

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It’s that time of year again.

As the temperature cools, talk of the Super Bowl Halftime headliner heats up.

And according to new reports, organizers are in talks for a double-act: Justin Timberlake and JAY-Z.

Dive below for details…

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Aaliyah‘s impact has proven unshakeable in the years since her tragic passing.

Now, on the eve of the 16th anniversary of her death, MAC Cosmetics have announced a very special salute to the late, great R&B star.

Full story below…

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Fergie is taking flight with the roll-out for her new album ‘Double Dutchess.’

Due September 22nd via her own label Double Dutch Productions, the 13-track set – which features Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, and more – arrives after a years of anticipation.

Taking to social media today, the Black Eyed Peas star announced that the LP is a “visual experience.”

Fergie-Ferg revealed an explosive trailer to serve as an exclamation mark to drive home her point. She also confirmed a major TV promo spot for launch.

Details below…

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Taylor Swift‘s ‘Reputation’ may be off to rocky start.

Keen to capitalise on what has been a tumultuous year, the superb singer/songwriter announced that her new LP would be called just that giving fans good reason to believe the set will see her address the decline in her Pop approval ratings.

Alas, any efforts she hopes to employ to turn things around now find themselves faced with the obstacle that is Twitter.

For, several users have expressed that they are still disgusted by Swift’s supposed attempt to publicly humiliate the African-American artist Kanye West.

Forgot what happened? Click here.

What Twitter has to say about it?

Find out below…

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SZA‘s soulful and relatable brand of R&B has earned her a host of new fans – a list that includes many of her music industry peers.

Chart titan Drake is one of them and he made sure to show the TDE songstress love at the Toronto stop of her CTRL Tour last night.

Currently riding the wave of success with debut album ‘CTRL,’ the rising star is reportedly working on a joint project with Mark Ronson and Tame Impala.

Fingers crossed there’s something with Drizzy in the pipeline too! It’s time for more creative collaborations rather than the same ole same ole. This would be one mix we’d be all the way here for.

Peep more below…

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Remember the rumored Lady Gaga documentary that was in the works?

Well, it turns out that the murmurs were true.

Mother Monster has indeed granted cameras an unfiltered look at her life and she has today begun its roll-out.

Full story below…

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Leader of the ‘Rhythm Nation’ Janet Jackson is gearing up to hit the road for the much anticipated ‘State Of The World Tour.’

The 56-date trek marks a return to the stage for the Pop queen, who gave birth to her first child – Eissa – in January of this year.

Since the jaunt’s announcement, Jackson has been holed up in top-secret rehearsals.

But with the September 7th launch of the show drawing rapidly near, morsels of information are beginning to surface.

The latest comes in the form of behind the scenes snaps of Janet and her musical director Daniel Jones.

Proving that her snap-back game is like no other, the 51 year old is shown looking slim and trim, rocking heels, and holding a cane for a dance routine.

Peep the pics below…

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