HAPPY TRAIL

Grand Hustle/Atlantic’s Atlanta-based hip-hop superstar T.I. is in that rarified atmosphere, with a hit single, “Whatever You Like,” being mimicked by the accordion-playing novelty icon, and his new album, Paper Trail, debuting at #1 on the HITS Album sales chart, moving a robust 578k copies, making it the third largest bow of the year, behind just Lil Wayne and Coldplay.

Oscar-winning Dreamgirls star and Clive Davis protégé Jennifer Hudson’s self-titled debut enters at #2, with 225k, followed by Star Trak/Interscope’s Robin Thicke and Hear Music/Concord Music Group’s James Taylor Covers album. After three consecutive weeks atop the chart, Warner Bros.’ Metallica drops down to round out the Top 5.

Sire/WB Orange County piano-rock band Jack’s Mannequin (#8) and BNA’s American Idol alum Kellie Pickler (#9) are the other Top 10 debuts.

Def Jam/IDJ’s Ne-Yo (#6), Atlantic’s Kid Rock (#7) and Def Jam/IDJ’s Young Jeezy (#10) round out the leader board.

Epic’s Ben Folds (#12), Universal Republic Christian rockers Anberlin (#14), Roadrunner’s Trivium (#28), Interscope’s James Morrison (#41), Victory’s Bayside (#44), WB’s Murs (#45) and Metal Blade’s Amon Amarth (#49) are the other Top 50 bows.

Leading the double-digit gainers are Interscope’s New Kids on the Block, who move #39-27 on a 55% rise, thanks to starring in VH1’s Behind the Music, while J Records’ Leona Lewis goes #29-24, +34% and Mercury/IDJ’s Duffy #41-36, +15%. Young Jeezy (+9%), Reprise’s Eric Benet (#42-38, +7%), Capitol’s Katy Perry (#31, +5%) and Geffen’s The Game (#18, +4%) are also in the black for the week.

Hitting retail next week are Curb’s Tim McGraw with a greatest hits album, Geffen/Interscope’s Rise Against, Columbia’s Bob Dylan box set and Arista’s Sarah McLachlan compilation.