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Celebraties

Justin Bieber leads U.S. pop album chart

Updated: 2011-02-24 08:22

(Agencies)

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Justin Bieber leads U.S. pop album chart

Canadian singer Justin Bieber poses for photographers as he arrives for his film "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" in Paris February 17, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

LOS ANGELES  - Justin Bieber notched his second No. 1 album on the U.S. pop chart Wednesday as a remix set tied in with his hit 3D concert movie claimed the highest tally for a top album since Christmas week.

The first full week of post-Grammy sales also boosted albums by key winners and/or performers such as Lady Antebellum, Arcade Fire and Esperanza Spalding.

Bieber's "Never Say Never: The Remixes" sold 161,000 copies during the week ended February 20, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's the first time a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 has sold more than 160,000 units since Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" sold 276,000 copies during the week ended December 26.

Bieber debuted at No. 1 last April when his first full-length release "My World 2.0" sold 283,000 copies. More stunning: All four of Bieber's albums are in the top 40 this week, the first time an artist has managed the feat since Garth Brooks in 1993. "My Worlds 2.0" is No. 8, "My Worlds Acoustic" is No. 18, and "My World" is No. 31.

In addition to the continued success of Bieber's film of the same name, with sales to date of $48 million after two weekends of release across North America, the teen phenom's big week was no doubt also fueled by the February 13 Grammy Awards, where he performed on the show (but lost both his races).

The awards' power was felt on the tally in full effect. Bieber's fellow best new artist nominee Mumford & Sons held at No. 2 as "Sigh No More" sold 133,000 copies, a boost of 169%.

Last week's No. 1, the "Now 37" compilation, slipped to No. 3 with 95,000. Five-time winner Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" soared 13 places to No. 4 with 85,000 copies (up 205%).

The Grammys also smiled on Bruno Mars' "Doo-Wops & Hooligans" (up one to No. 5 with 60,900; up 55%), Eminem's "Recovery" (up one to No. 6 with 60,600; up 60%), the "2011 Grammy Nominees" album (up four to No. 7 with 56,000; up 67%) and the aforementioned "My World 2.0" (down five to No. 8, with 54,000, but up 13%).

Nicki Minaj's "Pink Friday" was also down five, to No. 9, with 46,000 copies. Rihanna (another Grammy performer and winner) slipped two to No. 10 as "Loud" sold 45,000 copies (up 24%).

Just outside the top 10, zipping 40 places to No. 12, was Arcade Fire's surprise album of the year winner "The Suburbs" (41,000; up 238%). Super-surprise best new artist champ Esperanza Spalding re-entered at No. 34 with "Chamber Music Society" (18,000; up 476%).

Overall album sales totaled 7.2 million units, up 12% compared with the previous week and up 10% compared with the comparable sales week of 2010. Year-to-date album sales stand at 40 million, down 11% compared with the same total at this point last year.

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