The Reality show concept is the new video concept. Stars with reality shows are making a very strong connection with fans these days. The trend started with Keyshia Cole and continues to grow. Of COURSE talent and product plays a major part in the equation too.
Monica proves that she’s still standing as her latest album, Still Standing, debuts this week at #1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Album chart and #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 and Digital Albums charts, according to Nielsen SoundScan. With over 184,000 units sold since its March 23 release on J Records, Still Standing nears the first week sales of After The Storm, Monica’s 2003 release which sold 186,000 units.
“I feel immensely blessed,” states Monica on her album’s successful debut. “I am both humbled and gracious that the fans have allowed me to come back and do what I love, which is R&B soul music. The love and acceptance of this album has reminded me why I should believe in myself and continue to STAND.”
This week’s chart entry maintains Monica’s long standing track record of chart-topping debuts and marks her second consecutive #1 R&B album debut. Monica’s previous 3 albums (The Makings of Me, After The Storm, The Boy is Mine) have debuted at #1 and/or #2 on either the Top 200 or Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
The album’s first single, “Everything To Me,” reached the #1 spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and became Monica’s sixth #1 single – one single shy of tying Alicia Keys’ and Mariah Carey’s record of seven. The #1 success of “Everything To Me” also places Monica within an elite group of history making superstars that have garnered #1 R&B singles in three decades – Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, James Brown and Marvin Gaye. The seasoned Atlanta songstress first captured the #1 slot on the R&B charts in the 90’s with her hit singles “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days),” Before You Walk Out Of My Life,” “The Boy Is Mine.” In the 2000’s, Monica claimed the #1 spot with “So Gone” from her 2003 platinum selling album After The Storm.
