2006 was the year hip hop started entering into its maturation stage. With OGs like Nas and Jay-Z decades into their career, the culture finally had OGs who were still reigning on top of the charts.
From Busta Rhymes to Young Jeezy, Nas to T.I., Snoop Dogg to Ludacris, The Game to Jay-Z, we take a look at the biggest hip hop album first week sales of 2006.
10. Busta Rhymes – The Big Bang
Released: June 13, 2006
Label: Aftermath, Flipmode, Interscope
First week album sales: 209,000
Billboard 200: 1
Singles: “Touch It”, “I Love My Bitch”, “New York Shit”, “In the Ghetto”
9. Bow Wow – The Price Of Fame
Released: December 19, 2006
Label: LBW Entertainment, Columbia
First week album sales: 262,000
Billboard 200: 6
Singles: “Shortie Like Mine”, “Outta My System”, “I’m a Flirt”
8. Snoop Dogg – Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
Released: November 21, 2006
Label: Doggystyle Records, Geffen Records
First week album sales: 264,000
Billboard 200: 5
Singles: “Vato”, “I Wanna Love You”, “That’s That”, “Candy”, “Boss’ Life”
7. Ludacris – Release Therapy
Released: September 26, 2006
Label: Disturbing tha Peace, Def Jam South
First week album sales: 309,000
Billboard 200: 1
Singles: “Money Maker”, “Grew Up a Screw Up”, “Runaway Love”, “Girls Gone Wild”, “Slap”
6. Shady Records – Eminem Presents: The Re-Up
Released: December 5, 2006
Label: Shady, Interscope
First week album sales: 309,000
Billboard 200: 2
Singles: “You Don’t Know”, “Jimmy Crack Corn”
5. Young Jeezy – The Inspiration
Released: December 12, 2006
Label: CTE, Def Jam
First week album sales: 352,000
Billboard 200: 1
Singles: “I Luv It”, “Go Getta”, “Dreamin'”
4. Nas – Hip Hop Is Dead
Released: December 19, 2006
Label: The Jones Experience, Def Jam. Columbia
First week album sales: 355,880
Billboard 200: 1
Singles: “Hip Hop Is Dead”, “Can’t Forget About You”
3. The Game – Doctors Advocate
Released: November 14, 2006
Label: Black Wall Street, Geffen
First week album sales: 360,000
Billboard 200: 1
Singles: “It’s Okay (One Blood)”, “Let’s Ride”, “Wouldn’t Get Far”
2. T.I. – King
Released: March 28, 2006
Label: Grand Hustle, Atlantic
First week album sales: 522,000
Billboard 200: 1
Singles: “What You Know”, “Why You Wanna”, “Live in the Sky”, “Top Back (Remix)”
1. Jay-Z – Kingdom Come
Released: November 21, 2006
Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
First week album sales: 680,000
Billboard 200: 1
Singles: “Show Me What You Got”, “Lost One”, “30 Something”, “Hollywood”
