Rapper Paul Wall emerges as U.S. charts 'Champ'
In a week that saw seven albums open in the top 10 of the U.S. pop charts, Houston rapper Paul Wall emerged triumphant with a No. 1 debut, ending the two-week reign of Kanye West.
Wall sold 176,000 copies of "The Peoples Champ" in the week ended September 18, according to Nielsen SoundScan data issued Wednesday, ahead of new discs by Switchfoot, Trisha Yearwood, the Pussycat Dolls, Paul McCartney, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Charlie Wilson.
Though Wall has released albums with rapper Chamillionaire and a solo effort — 2004's "The Chick Magnet" — in the last three years, this is the first appearance on the big chart for the Atlantic artist. In the last year, the chopped-and-screwed stylist has earned exposure as a featured rapper on T.I.'s "Urban Legend" and Mike Jones' "Still Tippin," which reached No. 25 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs list.
West's "Late Registration" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) fell to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 165,000 copies.