Music

Opening at more than 700,000 copies, Alicia Keys' 'As I Am' is the highest selling-debut since 2004.

• Nov 22, 2007

AceShowbiz - Two extraordinary things happened on the Billboard Hot 200 chart this week. Apart from the fact that the #1 album last week, Jay-Z's 'American Gangster', takes a sharp plunge this week, Alicia Keys' 'As I Am' sells a number that makes it the highest selling debut for a female artist since Norah Jones broke it in 2004 through 'Feels Like Home'.

'As I Am' took the top position after moving 742,426 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. This would be her fourth album that opens at #1 and the one selling the largest number of all her albums. However, it is still one level below Kanye West's 'Graduation' (957,000 copies) to be the highest selling debut in the past two years.

Jay-Z's 'Gangster' meanwhile, had a painful fall from #1 to #8 after a 70 per cent decrease in sale. It sold 113,000 copies this week, a relatively sharp plunge from the last week sale that reached 425,861 copies.

Other slips within the top ten chart include Garth Brooks' 'The Ultimate Hits' (3-5), Eagles' 'Long Road Out of Eden' (2-6), Carrie Underwood's 'Carnival Ride' (5-9) and Chris Brown's 'Exclusive' (4-10). The only increase in sale would be Josh Groban's season album 'Noel' that soars 6-2 after moving 223,000 units.

Billboard Hot 200 Top Ten Albums for Week 47, 2007:

1. 'As I Am' - Alicia Keys
2. 'Noel' - Josh Groban
3. 'Taking Chances' - Celine Dion
4. 'Now 26' - Various Artist
5. 'The Ultimate Hits' - Garth Brooks
6. 'Long Road Out of Eden' - Eagles
7. 'Mothership' - Led Zeppelin
8. 'American Gangster' - Jay-Z
9. 'Carnival Ride' - Carrie Underwood
10. 'Exclusive' - Chris Brown