After two weeks in the No. 2 spot (behind Kanye West last week and this week behind buddy Wale), J. Cole looks set to take the top spot next week. Although rare for albums to move up to No. 1 (they usually debut there), his Born Sinner is expected to sell about 60,000 copies by Sunday (July 7), which would easily nab the top of the Billboard 200 chart.
Sinner is up against R&B singer Joe, Relient K and the new Hillsong Live album, Glorious Ruins. None of the new titles are expected to pass the rapper's set.
As we previously reported, West's Yeezus dropped to No. 3 this week with 65,000 sold, while Sinner shifted 84,000 copies. If Cole's album does move up to No. 1, it's impossible to ignore that the set would also pass West in total album sales domestically by Sunday night.
It's also worth noting that Cole's mentor JAY Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail will officially release on Tuesday (July 9), likely claiming the No. 1 spot the following week. If so, that would be four different rap albums holding the top of the Billboard chart for four consecutive weeks. Because Cole is signed to Jay's Roc Nation, that would also mean the label would have the crown for two weeks in a row.
Quite a summer for hip-hop this year.