Everyone knows that Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year. Appropriately so many artist release their albums, (studio or holiday themed) around this time to increase sales and public visibility. This year the three big contenders going head to head this Monday November 19th are all females. Monday sees the release of Rihanna‘s seventh album in seven years, ‘Unapologetic’. Nicki Minaj will drop the re-release of her album ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded The Re-Up’ with new songs added. Lastly, Keyshia Cole releases her anticipated new album ‘Woman To Woman’.
Rihanna, who currently holds down the number one spot on the Billboard R&B charts, with ‘Diamonds’ has been on a promo blitz! The video for the single debuted just days ago and within hours garnered over 1 million views(currently over 25mill). She is gearing up for her ‘777 world tour’ set to kick off soon. She also had tongues wagging this week with the release of her nude cover of the ‘GQ Men of the Year’ issue, as well as the cover of Billboard magazine, and a red hot Vogue spread and just appeared on SNL. Ms. Fenty is also the number one celebrity on Facebook with over 62 million fans/likes, and she sat down with Andy Cohen at the Facebook headquarters to do an exclusive interview. To add to her buzz, everyone has heard the spicy track ‘Nobodies Business’ featuring ex boyfriend/current fling Chris Brown, where they give the public a piece of their minds as it pertains to their ‘Facebook relationship status’! Even though she has amassed a slew of no.1’s and is the biggest digital artist in history, Riri has yet to achieve the feat of having a no.1 album debut in the US. Will she have a chance this time around??
Keyshia Cole, currently one of BET‘s biggest shows bringing in major ratings with ‘Daniel & Keyshia: Family First’. She had many talking after her recent performance at ‘Black Girls Rock’ which many called her best performance to date. The album is preceded by hit single ‘Enough No Love'(feat. Lil’ Wayne) and new single and fan fave ‘Trust & Believe’. The soap opera themed video just debuted last week and is getting great response from fans. Coming off a less than successful 2010 release with ‘Calling All Hearts’ Keyshia has a lot to prove this time around.
Nicki Minaj, not lacking in the promotion department by any means, however still is pulling out the stops to ensure great sales this fall. Of course after taking a seat at the judges table on ‘American Idol’ she made worldwide headlines with the infamous leaked video of her Idol metldown/cussout with fellow judge Mariah Carey. Adding fuel to that fire,(just in time for the release of the album) she spoke this week on Barbara Walters and her response to the Nicki vs. Mariah spat. During an episode of her new E! reality show, ‘My Truth’ she addressed Barbara’s lack of respect for her and favoritism with friend Mariah in the dispute for not calling her to get her side of the story, and accused her of taking sides. Outside of the Idol mayhem, Nicki who still has several singles currently in rotation, dropped a single with long time crush Cassie which sent fans into a frenzy. Nicki also is currently finishing up a successful world tour and also just launched her first fragrance with Macy’s.
So who will you be buying this upcoming week? and who do you think will take the top spot?