MUSIC NEWS: JAY-Z DEBUTS AT #1 / JOHN LEGEND IN THE STUDIO / DEF JAM TO RELEASE COMPILATION
Monday, November 19, 2007
Jay-Z grabs his 10th #1 selling album on The Billboard 200, as American Gangster debuts on top this week after selling 425,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. This #1 album has tied him with Elvis in second place for the most #1 albums on the chart. The Beatles take the number one spot, with 19 #1 albums on the Billboard charts.
Jay-Z surpassed the Eagles (whose album is sold exclusively at Wal-Mart), who beat out Britney Spears last week. People were thinking that Chris Brown was going to be Jay-Z’s competition, but the teenage star debuted at #4 on the charts this Wednesday, selling just 294,000 copies.
JOHN LEGEND IN THE STUDIO

John Legend is back in the studio, working on his third studio album. He has just started the recording process on the follow-up to 2005’s Once Again, which I thoroughly enjoyed, musically.
“We’re really just starting,” Legend reports. “I’m usually pretty prolific and pretty quick with my output, so I’m guessing I’ll be done with it by the end of the spring and put it out either late summer or early fall. That’s what I’m headed towards.”
Musically, John says that the direction of the album hasn’t quite been determined. But he plans on calling on the likes of long-time friend, Kanye West, who Legend has worked with previously, as well as Will.I.Am, Rick Knowles and Pharrell Williams.
DEF JAM TO RELEASE COMPILATION

Just for Christmas, Def Jam has set to release a compilation of rarities from your favorite Def Jam artists like Rihanna, Bobby Valentino & Fabolous, to name a few. The disk will be titled Def Jam Sessions, Vol. 1.
Releasing on December 18th, the 13-track album includes rare, import-only and unreleased tracks associated with albums released by Def Jam acts in late 2006 and throughout 2007.
Here is the track list for Def Jam Sessions, Vol. 1:
“The N…,” Nas
“Where Y’all At,” Nas
“I Shine, You Shine,” Fabolous
“Chirp Back,” Fabolous
“That’s What It Does,” Ne-Yo
“Spotlight,” Ne-Yo
“OD,” Method Man
“F**k Da Security,” Redman
“Let’s Go,” Redman
“Haunted,” Rihanna
“Cry,” Rihanna
“Wreck,” Bobby Valentino
“Let’s Go,” Bobby Valentino
Make sure you pick up one to stuff your stocking this Christmas!









66 Comments
1.
myra
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
good for him even if i don’t like him but i have to say that blue magic is tha shit
2.
whyaskwhy
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
HOV!
3.
Bouga
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Well done to Jay-Z. I take it he won’t stop now until he tops the beatles record? I hope not.
Looking forward to John’s next album. The last half of Once Again (especially the tracks included in the Japan version of the album) are on heavy rotation on my CD player.
Nice idea for the Def Jam compilation, but why does Methodman only get to have one song when everybody else has two?
4.
the_one
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Thanks but no thanks Def Jam!
5.
BashyBoo
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
WOOOOHOOOO JAY Z IS THE BEST ANYWAY…
6.
LAY LAY
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
i don’t care for jay z too much but i can’t lie.. his songs on this album are too nice. i love hearing music that doesn’t only consist of that repetitive snare that every rapper and their mother seems to be using now and days.
7.
Dame
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
I am happy for Jay my fave artist A.G is a great cd. That Rolling article is a good read
8.
Nichole
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Congrats to Jay Z…I really like his hustle…He seems like a true businessman.
I’m not sure about the Def Jam compliation album…it sounds very “Now That’s What I call Music 29″…with just random artists…but who knows…it may be a hit…”shrugs”
9.
MizzhazelI's
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
I can’t wait for the new John Legend. I always seem to end up doing my weekend cleaning to his Once Again album ( which dropped in 2006, not 2005).
10.
PoKnokKnok
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
I can’t wait to hear that new compilation album. I like hearing those hard to find singles.
Hip hop Radio at its finest
11.
j
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
WAYNE IS THE BEST, JAY Z IS OVER RATED
12.
leslie arnelle
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
HUGE CONGRATS to Jay Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13.
Sadat X
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Yeah, fuck what he sold, i’m still over here tripping that whomever shot that Rolling Stone cover somehow had the magical skills to make that nigga look SEXY, even while wearing that ridiculous ass scarf he’s insisted on rocking lately like its that hot shit. I’m saying, i actually walked by a newsstand, saw that RS cover and said, out loud, “Oh, WORD?!” I would f**k the shit out of that man if i caught him walking around NY looking like that cover. I would snatch his chick by her thirsty ass wig and knock the taste out her mouth just to get to some of that. And he is NOT a handsome cat. This is no secret. But right there? On that cover? Oh hells yeah, he could get it. He could get it and i would damn sure not tell a muthafuckin’ soul.
Hey Hovie! How you doin’! Holla at ya girl Sadat. Ya chick ain’t got to know. *bats eyelashes*
14.
Mz Coko
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
No thanks, don’t want that 4 Christmas!
15.
ThinkAboutIt
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Jay-Z definitely doing his business thing. Congrats on the music too.
16.
Dame
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Lmao at 13 that is funny
17.
Knuck
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
#13– please, what is u looking at? Nobody can make this man look good.. However, I have seen candids of him that were KINDA cute.
Def Jam compilation? No ma’am..
And what is surprising about Chris Brown’s sales? Nobody is feelin this ‘leftover’ stuff he puttin out. Got a lil too cocky too fast..
18.
Ms. Bmore
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Let me know when this crap is on the free download sites….thanks. Def Jam is trying to hard….NEXT!!!!
19.
Taj Washington
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Although I tend to like a lot of vibrant colors, this RS cover is hot. Not necessarily feeling the “American Gangster” cd, since it kinda glorifies too many negative things and reinforces stereotypes.
And lastly…WHO thought Chris Brown was going to be Jay’s competition?!?!? “Not I,” said the Brown Cow. LOL.
Chris Brown can dance, no doubt, but outsell Jay-Z?!?!? Not on Jay’s WORSE day can that happen…
20.
Ms. Bmore
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
ok…so Jay-Z doesn’t have the most attractive face..but maybe he just might have a GREAT PERSONALITY. Maybe he is good in bed. GREAT PERSONALITY + GOOD IN BED + RICHES = you can get it !!!
21.
bill
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Jay Z should have taken off that ring during the photo shoot.
It doesn’t match the “image” of a businessman wearing a suit.
It looks ridiculous on a person of that age and Job Title-President of Def Jam.
22.
annaya-michelle
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Yay 4 JayZ but uh, Brian, sellin 300 000 in one week (chris breezy) how do u mean dass not amazin? 300 000 is LOT a whooole lot 4 like jus 1 week, well it is, so dey did good both of m, n chris totalli shut down Time Square dat week 2
23.
JoRo
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
I’ll pass on the Def Jam compilation. Looking forward to hearing John’s new stuff though.
24.
annaya-michelle
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Ooh, Methodman! redman! nas bobby v
n rihanna, k
25.
African chic who is like "like, "Jigga Man, why you look like animal?"
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Fuck Jay-z. Cant stand him. NEXT!
26.
African chic who is like "like, "Jigga Man, why you look like animal?"
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
I wish John Legend better luck this time round. I didnt like his last CD and it sounds like many others didnt either.
27.
bajan
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
RIHANNA LOOKS SO DAMN HOT AND SEXY IN THAT PIC.
*oops, wipes drowl off of keyboard* (cant help it).
RIHRIH, HOLLA AT ME.
28.
Chanté
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
It’s funny, I think I know who “bought” those “American Gangster” copies…
29.
Harlem Mami
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
That’s right my boy Hov making history with the most amount of #1 albums.
Chante you don’t know what you’re talking about because here in NY cats had to go to 4-5 different stores before they were able to get their own copy. And since his album wasn’t available on Itunes you can’t say nothing. Jay-Z has a huge fanbase that spans the world so don’t hate. I really felt that New York was back when his album dropped.
30.
Such Magnificence
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
“American Gangster” is actually a good album….much better than that “Kingdom Come” crap. I hate the fact people keep knocking that album…especially when its one of the best hip-hop releases we will have for the next year.
Don’t get me wrong I thought it was gonna suck too but with songs like “Fallin”, ” “I Know”, “Party Life”, “Hello Brooklyn”, “Success”, “Say Hello”, “Roc Boys” and “Blue Magic”…you can NOT deny this album is hot!!! Seriously, this album is not full of b.s. I think Jay realized “Kingdom Come” almost had him “Kingdom Done” and he stepped his game up. Honestly, he should have held-out on hitting the studio until he was truly inspired like he did with “American Gangster”. Its so unfortunate that this man’s impeccable career has been smeared by one fycked up record…got everybody looking at him sideways!
31.
SweetThang729
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Good for Jay but his sells are steadily declining
32.
Such Magnificence
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
#29 I felt the same way when I first listened to “American Gangster”!!! I felt like Jay took it back to the “Reasonable Doubt” and “In My Lifetime” days…he is seriously on his shyt!!! I can’t stop playing the damn cd…right before work…during work…in the ride after work…and my house when I’m cooking or washing clothes. I think I might have to buy another Jigga cd for the ride…I haven’t done that since the “Black Album”.
33.
YOU TOLD HARPO TO BEAT ME???
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Love the CD. I’m a major Jay fan but am usually honest about his work. I love the direction of the album. Its on constant repeat on my ipod when I’m working out at the gym.
#31 Its okay if his sales decline. That’s what usually happens especially for an album that is not really commercial.
34.
complexndope
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
CONGRATS JAY-Z!!
I actually LOVE the American Gangster album. My joints are: “Hello Brooklyn”, “No Hook”, “American Dreamer”, “I Know”, “Say Hello”, “Success”
Also: Ya’ll gotta peep the Blue Magic version with Trey Songz….homie KILLED it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0_hwRRsZks
35.
Harlem Mami
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Yo I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to this album already. It really speaks the truth about a lot of things. Someone mentioned that the album glorifies negative images but that’s not entirely true. You have to listen to the album as a whole because it tells how all the ignorant things you liked to do will give way to your demise. That’s a very powerful message that very few cats will ever rap about. Especially popular artists like Jay-Z. People like #19 really need to listen to the album all the way through before they make any rush judgments.
36.
Chillin @ Work
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
@31 Every one Sales are declining
- and that is due to the world of technology we have today, that wasn’t available back when people were selling 1mil in a spand of a week……… With Limewire and other forms of downloads, who is going to spend approx. $13 bucks on one CD when you can buy about 50 CDRW that cost about $7 and burn all your cds for free??? Now that math makes sense.
37.
kimwill02
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Congrats Jay.
Cannot wait for Johns new music!
38.
OATSUZN
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
camel
39.
Dame
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
I agree with last few post. A.G. is the shit I’m constantly playing it all day. I respected K.C. I liked it.
40.
ROCAGIRL
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
H to the Hizzo!!!! Dats My Camel Man!!!! keep doin it big jigga!
41.
shan shan
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
lmao at #13. U are too funny! I was thinking the same thing, but we al know what he looks like in the real world. I don’t know what y’all talking bout but I liked John’s last cd.
42.
Veronica
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
O boy Jay…Yeah he is the man, and I respect the fact that at last someone, especially a black man broke Elvis’ record. However, Jay your old, na. I respect him…Anyway, check out my sexy blog http://didnthearitfromme.blogspot.com/
43.
mogul_in_the_making
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
american gangster selling 425,000 copies the first week? that is way below what kingdom come (700,000)did in the first week and the opinion refers to kingdom come as garbage, i wonder what this album will perform
alicia keys is the one to take the no.1 spot this week, concreteloop sometimes it doesnt hurt to be up-to-date with infos
44.
jay-z future wife
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
I really like the new album..the intro is crazy tight..
“GANGSTERS, HUSTLERS,REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, PIMPS AND HOES”…..different names same game..baby….
45.
OKAY
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Go Jay. He is looking nice on that cover. I never thought he was just FINE but the man is not hideous. I must admit I kinda like the soup-coolers.
46.
yanumba1girld
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
its so funny because right before jay z’s album was released….everyone was hatttinggg on him. telling his ‘old ass’ to retire, and he aint sh!t blah blah blah. but now that the man has landed on top, once again….everyone is TEAM JAY again. waiting for his next album. ha ha ha . so funny. either way ima hov fan til i die! its hovi babi!!
47.
j
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
if jay z dont like wayne then why is he on the american gangster album? i much u wanna bet that jigga wont be on the carter 3. translation is hov needed the help and wanyne dont
48.
Open_season
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
That Chris Brown CD was hot ass garbage…I guess 294,000 little teenage girls went out and bought it just because it’s a Chris Brown CD.
Jay-Z is the king of NY
49.
SHANYAH
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
bad typo’s whew, either way i was mad ..but the fact still remains you haterz lost
50.
☆Megan☆
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
If John Legend comes back with that type of mess on his second album, I quit!!!! I loved his first album so much but I don’t know what he was doing on the 2nd one. Come back brother John!
51.
J. Lewis
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
I think people overanalyze when they say Jay-Z is trying to glorify being a gangsta. Like he said in “H to the Izzo”, “Hov did that so hopefully you wouldn’t have to go through that.”
I’ve been listening to “gangsta rap” for the longest and never had the urge to be a damn gangsta, sell drugs, or shoot anyone. Besides it wouldn’t be believable. I represent Lames ‘R’ Us.
People have to be able to seperate reality from entertainment and stop using rap music as a scapegoat for society’s problem. Now that’s NOT reality.
52.
TinaP
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
J Z Sucks! J Z will never get my respect! Just because JZ has millions don’t make him worth a sh*t, and guess what, he’s not. J Z is a woman beater, disprespectful toward woman, hates women and he is the lowest form of scum; only difference is he has millions. Once a scumbag—always a scumbag!! Beyonce can have him because he isn’t worth the money he has in the bank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
53.
jscene
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
AND STILL HE SOLD LESS THAN T.I., KANYE, AND 50….BEST RAPPER ALIVE?????
54.
jscene
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
THIS CD WAS MUCH BETTER THAN KINGDOM COME.
55.
yeah......and what!
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! I’m so happy for Jay! this cd is sooo damn hotttt!!!!!! I listen to it constantly. I only do that for few rappers. I knew AG would finish big though cuz once you hear the songs you gonna go out and cop it cuz it is a masterpeice.
56.
Im the only polar bear up in this bitch
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Yah, i’ll pass on the def jam compilation too, if i wan’t anything i’ll just go to itunes.
57.
foxxy380*Out My Socks
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
#1?….WOW!
LOL @ #28 Chante! My first thought exactly!!
58.
yall_2damn much
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
Yay I already gave JIgga a shout out about this in another posts. I knew he would break Elvis record with this cd cuz it’s that serious. I like every damn song, when is the last time i said that about anybody elses music, hmm let me think??????
Jay I see u Boo looking Fine on that cover, umm Beyonce is soo lucky I swear!
“SO TALL AND LANKY, MY SUIT SHOULD THANK ME, I MAKE IT LOOK GOOD” a quote straight from you Boo! Sure your right! muahhhhhhhhhh!!!
John Legend I’m looking forward to your new music
Def Jam compilation I will have to look into that.
59.
yeahyeah.
Monday, November 19, 2007 /
yayy for jay!
60.
jayboy
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 /
what is this fake hiphop followers talking about,american gangster is just o.k nothing really special about it.4 songs and thats it,jigga cannot even break fiddys record thats a shame,he wont and will never sell as much as ferari in his life time.it took jay about15yrs to be what he is and it took fiddy 4yrs to be what he is.you fools just rate jay on past glory,real talk CURTIS IS BIGGER,BETTER AND BRAVER THAN AMERICAN GANGSTER.curtis still winning cos people still listen to it more than kanye.less i forget kanye ccept my sympathy and take heart,the lrd is with u.
61.
foxxy380*Out My Socks
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 /
Say it again #60!
62.
realstateofmind
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 /
Jay looks like an AG. it’s not so much as him being so handsome facially but his persona is striking as hell. He got that swagger. I know Bey had to see that. she certainly didn’t need his moolah!
63.
kiven
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 /
i m a fans of him, and enjoyed most his songs and videos…but i m surprised to hear that he just been to to enjoy an interracial hot dating…may be i need to check what really happened…
64.
kivcy
Thursday, November 22, 2007 /
hi, guys, nice discussion… but, do you love to try something new? how about enjoying interraical hot dating on my world,I am a hot girl, shy at first, but friends say I am witty, humerous, and fun to be aroundyou will be surprised…
65.
Best Free Music Site » Blog Archive » B Legend-In Due Time
Friday, January 4, 2008 /
[...] MUSIC NEWS: JAY-Z DEBUTS AT #1 / JOHN LEGEND IN THE STUDIO / DEF … JAY-Z DEBUTS AT #1 / JOHN LEGEND IN THE STUDIO / DEF JAM TO … But he plans on calling on the likes of long-time friend … and that is due to the world of technology we have today … [...]
66.
kkandis hall
Monday, February 25, 2008 /
i can’t belive you are about to marry a tramp.i’ll never listen to your music again ugly dog