New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Universal
Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, established a new record today by placing nine of the Top 10 albums in the Billboard 200, only the fourth time that's occurred in the chart's 64-year history. UMG is responsible for all four of those instances.
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG said, "UMG's unprecedented track record on the album chart is a direct result of our long-term commitment to our artists—providing them with the best resources and expertise the industry has to offer. Behind each of these incredible albums are teams of dedicated employees, partners and entrepreneurs who are guided by a shared passion for helping artists achieve their full creative and commercial potential—and I salute all of them."
The Billboard 200 for the week of August 21 to August 27, features UMG-released albums at the top three positions, as well as numbers five through 10 - with folklore by
Taylor Swift (Republic Records) at No. 1; Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon by
Pop Smoke (Victor Victor Worldwide/Republic) at No. 2;
Legends Never Die by
Juice WRLD (Grade A/Interscope) at No. 3; King's Disease by Nas (Mass Appeal/Caroline) at No. 5; My Turn by
Lil Baby (Quality Control Music/Wolfpack Global/Motown) at No. 6; Pray 4 Love by
Rod Wave (Alamo/Geffen) at No. 7; Blame it on Baby by
DaBaby (SCMG/Interscope) at No. 8; Imploding the Mirage by The
Killers (Island) at No. 9; and Hollywood's Bleeding by
Post Malone (Republic) at No. 10.
Republic Records represents three albums, including No. 1 and No. 2; Interscope Geffen A&M charted three albums, including No. 3; Capitol
Music Group accounts for two albums and Island Records accounted for one.
This is the first time in 2020 when a single company is responsible for nine of the Top 10. UMG first achieved this feat during the chart week-ended November 30, 2013. The second time occurred in the chart week ended
September 29, 2018, and the third time was on the chart week ended November 17, 2018.
