Upon its June 21st release, ‘7’ – the debut EP of rapper Lil Nas X which houses the megahit ‘Old Town Road’ – was projected to ride to the top of the Billboard 200 by the time of the chart’s refreshing (as we reported here).

Projected to shift 70,000-80,000 SPS (4,000-7,000 pure sales) by the end of its inaugural sales tracking week, the Columbia Records set – which also features appearances from the likes of award-winning artists Billy Ray Cyrus & Cardi B – was in a tight battle with JackWhite-fronted rockers The Raconteurs for this week’s top spot.

With the final figures counted it’s being reported The Raconteurs – thanks to a large ticket bundle and strong indie physical sales of their latest project – outpaced the 20-year-old for the top spot.  Look inside to see how many units they shifted to do so:

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Lil Nas X has been omnipresent on the charts with global smash ‘Old Town Road,’ yet very little has been divulged about the rising star himself.

Aiming to change that, the 20-year-old took to social media to share an interesting message. A telling one too.

See what we mean below…

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The wins just keep getting handed to rapper Lil Nas X.

The 20-year-old, whose Billy Ray Cyrus-assisted megahit ‘Old Town Road’ is enjoying its 12th week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (click here to read more), has learned the tune’s parent project – the ‘7’ EP – is riding toward similar chart glory on the Billboard 200.

Details inside:

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For the second time in two months Taylor Swift‘s been blocked from the top of the Billboard Hot 100 thanks to rapper Lil Nas X‘s megahit, ‘Old Town Road.’

After early May 2019 saw the Grammy winner’s Brendon Urie-assisted tune, ‘Me!,’ debut at #2 on the tally behind the Country Hip Hop cut, this week Swift’s latest number – ‘You Need To Calm Down’ – met a similar fate.  ‘Calm’ – the second single from Swift’s forthcoming LP ‘Lover’ – dominated headlines last week for its pro-LGBT themes, star-studded music video (which prominently featured a reconciliation with longtime nemesis, Katy Perry), and for stirring controversy by allegedly ripping off scenes from Beyonce‘s 2011 ‘Party’ music video (click here to read more).

Now, with its inaugural tracking week of sales, streaming, and radio airplay behind it, the song’s made an impressive debut on the Billboard charts.  Yet, not impressive enough as ‘Road’ – in its 12th week of riding the top of the charts – was still able to keep the Joel Little-produced Pop tune at bay.  Billboard reports:

“Calm” opens atop Digital Song Sales with 79,000 sold, marking Swift’s record-extending 17th No. 1 on the chart (ahead of runner-up Rihanna’s 14). …”Calm” starts at No. 3 on Streaming Songs (39 million) and No. 50 on Radio Songs (24.2 million).

Look inside to see who joins X and Swift on this week’s TGJ Chart Check:

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Lil Nas X may be showing no signs of loosening his grip atop the Hot 100 with his Billy Ray Cyrus-hit, ‘Old Town Road,’ but it appears the 20-year-old is ready to ride his next hit to the top of charts.  As such, just hours ahead of the unveiling of his 7-song, debut EP (aptly titled ‘7’), the Georgia native unveiled the futuristic visual for the set’s new single, ‘Panini.’

Boasting an ode to rock gods Nirvana and their ‘Nevermind’ album track, ‘In Bloom,’ ‘Panini’ comes as one of many gems that line X’s new project.  The long-awaited project also features Cardi B and OneRepublic star Ryan Tedder.

Hear everything inside:

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Lil Nas X is heading to the BET Awards!

Full story below…

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It’s here!

Lil Nas X has unleashed the video for his unstoppable single ‘Old Town Road.’

A Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, the Billy Ray Cyrus assisted jam shows no signs of letting up after a six week reign atop of the coveted count.

For its sure-to-be visual, a lengthy list of notable names make cameos. They include…Chris Rock, Vince Staples, Rico Nasty, Diplo, Ha Ha Davis, Jozzy and ‘Old Town Road’ beat maestro YoungKio.

A time-travelling Western adventure awaits after the jump…

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Controversy – even inadvertent brands of it – still sells records.  Ask Lil Nas X: the 20-year-old singer/rapper who recently burst onto the scene thanks to a controversial call from Billboard that initially excluded his Country-tinged Hip Hop song – ‘Old Town Road’ – from riding onto Country charts.

Once the decision was reversed (thanks to harsh criticism from a number of supporters who slammed Billboard for making such a rule in the first place), last week saw the Billy Ray Cyrus-assisted tune shoot to the top of the Hot 100 (as we reported here).  Retaining the spot for a second run this week, the retention came on the heels of some jaw dropping streaming figures.

Billboard reports:

“Road” rockets by 207%, from 46.6 million U.S. streams to 143 million, shattering the record for the most in a week. “Road” also roars by 454% to 124,000 downloads sold…That’s the biggest weekly total since Drake’s “God’s Plan” debuted with 127,000 sold (Feb. 3, 2018).

Click below to see who joins him in the top 25:

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Tinashe‘s comeback hit ‘Nasty‘ may have been snubbed from competing at the 2025 GRAMMYs, but it’s still collecting awards.

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From Janet Jackson to Toni Braxton, Betty Davis, Salt-N-Pepa, Flo Jo, and beyond, Beyonce‘s celebrated Halloween by toasting some of history’s most prominent Black figures over the years.

The latest tribute comes as one of her most striking yet as she used 2024’s edition of the spooky holiday to transform into one of her idols: Prince.

With an unforgettable 2004 GRAMMYs duet to her incorporation of his hits into her lives shows over the last two decades, Bey’s made no secret of her admiration of the late musical genius.

In case her beloved fan group – affectionately called the #Beyhive – had forgotten just how much she adores the ‘Adore‘ singer, however, she took to Instagram on Friday (November 1) to impart a reminder, even lending a nod to his protege Appollonia along the way.

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The world wants more Shakira, Shakira!

Not long after announcing the expansion of her forthcoming ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour’ due to history-making demand, the Latin music icon has confirmed she’s doing the same in North America in a BIG way.

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Tinashe is blazing stages on her freshly launched ‘Match My Freak World Tour,’ but that hasn’t halted her hustle beyond music.

Because the ‘Nasty’ singer has teamed up with Urban Outfitters for a new fashion collaboration.

Full story below…

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