Drake has broken into the British charts, with new release ‘Take Care’ sitting at number five.
For many, hip hop has long since split into two camps: the slick, commercial side of the genre and the forward thinking underground. However the success of Drake proves that fresh ideas can still permeate the charts.
A child actor, the Canadian performer entered the hip hop world via a connection to Lil Wayne. Drake released his debut album ‘Thank Me Later’ in 2010, an album that cracked the Billboard charts but failed to impact on the British mainstream.
New album ‘Take Care’ finds British audiences playing catch up. Drake has continued to move forward, with one song on the new album finding the Canadian rapper teaming up with Jamie xx and Rihanna.
Matching pop instincts to an in-built need for a fresh sound, Drake has managed to take on the mainstream without losing his credibility. Released last week, ‘Take Care’ entered the charts at number five, one of the week’s highest new entries.
The rapper’s best performing album to the date in the UK, ‘Take Care’ sits one place ahead of Susan Boyle.
Michael Buble, though, has taken control of the number one slot. The crooner released his festive themed album ‘Christmas’ a few weeks ago, and it seems that the Advent rush has pushed him towards the summit.
Hitting pole position, Buble beat off competition from pop group JLS. Stadium indie dents the once again this week, with Snow Patrol’s new album ‘Fallen Empires’ crashing into the countdown at number three.
The Northern Irish band’s first album in two years, ‘Fallen Empires’ sits once place ahead of Coldplay’s rejuvenated LP ‘Mylo Xyloto’.
The full Top Ten is as follows:
1. Michael Buble – Christmas
2. JLS – Jukebox
3. Snow Patrol – Fallen Empires
4. Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto
5. Drake – Take Care
6. Susan Boyle – Someone To Watch Over Me
7. Ed Sheeran – +
8. Adele – 21
9. Florence & The Machine – Ceremonials
10. André Rieu & His Johann Strauss Orchestra – And The Waltz Goes On
