J. Cole’s new album Cole World: The Sideline Story, debut at the top of the billboard chart this week after moving 218,000 copies, according to Neilson SoundScan.
Cole earns the biggest debut by a new artist this year and has the highest sales week for a newcomer since Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday launched with 375,000 in December 2010. Cole also lands the biggest digital album debut from a new artist since last year.
J. Cole hit up Twitter to thank fans for their support after learning the good news.
“So many people to stunt on, fighting the urge to be spiteful. This moment is too important for that. Just want to say THANK YOU,” he tweeted October 4th.
“Thanks to yall, we shook the game up. No chart topping single, just 2 years of hard work, great music and real a*s fans. #1 album”
“Thanks to every fan that held me down, every friend, every blog, magazine, tv, radio station, dj’s and pd’s, I feel like we ALL won” (J. Cole’s Twitter)
Cole’s boss and mentor Jay-Z congratulates the North Carolina native rapper in a press release.
“J. Cole’s success is testament to amazing artist development and Cole’s hard work,” Jay-Z said, via press release. “I want to congratulate him on a #1 album and more importantly a great body of work.” Cole’s first solo album, which he’s been meticulously working on for the past five years, has sold 218,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. “Cole World: the Sideline Story” marks the first time a solo act’s debut effort has entered at No. 1 since May 14, 2010. Mark Pitts, President of Urban Music, Sony / JIVE Records and CEO, Bystorm Entertainment and Cole’s manager, lent praise as well, “J Cole personifies humility and grace with edge and depth. As an MC, his point of view speaks to and represents me. I’m proud and blessed to be a part of his journey!”
