THIS WEEK HIP-HOP & R&B ALBUM SALES

Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 has smashed the late Elvis Presley's record of number one albums. Hov's new release became the top nationwide release this week and his 11th overall No. 1 album. According to Nielsen Soundscan, the self-proclaimed "Best Rapper Alive's" latest effort has sold 476,100 copies after seven days in stores.

Award-winning singer Whitney Houston's I Look To You took a two-slot dip to No. 3 this week with 88,000. With just two weeks under her belt, the renowned singer's comeback album has sold 398,900 copies to date.

Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon has returned to store shelves with his long-delayed Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Part 2 landing at No. 4. The Chef's new album has sold a total of 67,900 records after one week on store shelves.

R&B singer Trey Songz's Ready fell three slots this week landing at No. 6 with 45,100. Going into his third week at retail outlets, the singer's third solo project has moved 177,900 pieces to date.

Pop group The Black Eyed Peas' have regained their stance within Top 10 with E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) moving up four positions to No. 7 with 43,500. Headed into their 15th week, the group's new collective effort stands at 1,071,100 scanned discs.

Soulful singer Maxwell's Black Summer's Night dropped two slots to No. 17 with 22,300. After 10 weeks of availability, the singer's comeback album has moved 740,600 records.

Miami rapper Pitbull's Rebelution took a slight 16 slot drop to No. 24 with 17,800. Bull's latest effort has sold a combined total of 59,100 pieces after 2 weeks in stores.

Def Jam's collection of Jay-Z's Blueprint and Blueprint 2 compilation album, Blueprint Collector's Edition, managed to land on the charts securing No. 30. After seven days in stores, the company's compilation album has sold 14,000 records.

Grammy-winning rapper Eminem's Relapse dropped two slots to No. 32 with 13,700. After 17 weeks in stores, the rapper's comeback album rests at 1,424,600 copies.

Fabolous' Loso's Way managed to only lose a step sliding one slot to No. 33 with 13,600. Headed into his second month in stores, the rapper's fifth solo project has sold 220,900 records to date.

Evening things out in Top 50 is The Insane Clown Posse's Bang! Pow! Boom! which took a hard hit dropping 39 positions down to No. 43 with 11,600. After two weeks in stores, the group has sold 61,500 copies.