FOLLOWING THE BLUEPRINT

Rap icon Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3, the first release from his Roc Nation imprint through Atlantic Records, will debut at #1 on next week’s HITS album chart with a total between 300-350k.

That’s the word from those retailers still out there fighting the good fight by refusing to turn their fine establishments into medical marijuana dispensaries.

The Beatles’ stereo and mono box sets, as well as all the individual, re-mastered titles, hit the streets today from EMI Music, and initial reports have the box sets selling out at Amazon and other on-line retailers.

Next up on the debut list is IceH2O’s Wu Tang Clan member Raekwon with the sequel to his celebrated Only Built for Cuban Linx, distributed by Dominic Pandiscia’s EMI Label Services Group, which should be good for 55-60k.

Columbia’s Boston rockers Boys Like Girls are eyeing a debut in the 45-50k range, while Arista Nashville’s retiring country duo Brooks & Dunn go out with a greatest hits set in the 35-40k area. Virgin metallists Saosin’s In Search of Solid Ground should do 20-25k, while Tooth & Nail’s Thousand Foot Krutch is just behind with 15-20k.

The market was up 8% vs. last week, down 7% vs. same week last year and down 14% year to date.

You may now return to boycotting our President’s appearance in your child’s classroom.