The mid-2000s was an era dominated by gangsta rap. Releases from Eminem, 50 Cent and their crews and affiliates flooded the market and took over the Billboard charts.
From Young Buck to Lloyd Banks to Eminem and his D12 crew, we look at the biggest hip hop album first week sales of 2004.
10. Ludacris – The Red Light District
Released: December 7, 2004
Label: Disturbing tha Peace, Def Jam
First week album sales: 322,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Get Back”, “Number One Spot”, “The Potion”, “Pimpin’ All Over the World”, “Blueberry Yum Yum”
9. 2Pac – Loyal to the Game
Released: December 7, 2004
Label: Amaru, Interscope
First week album sales: 330,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Thugs Get Lonely Too”, “Ghetto Gospel”
8. Nelly – Sweat
Released: September 14, 2004
Label: Derrty, Universal
First week album sales: 342,000
Billboard 200 position: 2
Singles: “Flap Your Wings”, “Tilt Ya Head Back”, “Na-NaNa-Na”
7. Beastie Boys – To the 5 Boroughs
Released: June 15, 2004
Label: Capitol
First week album sales: 360,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Ch-Check It Out”, “Triple Trouble”, “Right Right Now Now”, “An Open Letter to NYC”
6. Young Buck – Straight Outta Cashville
Released: August 24, 2004
Label: G-Unit, Interscope
First week album sales: 261,000
Billboard 200 position: 3
Singles: “Let Me In”, “Shorty Wanna Ride”
5. Nelly – Suit
Released: September 14, 2004
Label: Derrty, Universal
First week album sales: 396,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “My Place”, “Over and Over”, “‘N’ Dey Say”
4. Lloyd Banks – The Hunger for More
Released: June 29, 2004
Label: G-Unit, Interscope
First week album sales: 433,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “On Fire”, “I’m So Fly”, “Karma”
3. Kanye West – The College Dropout
Released: February 10, 2004
Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
First week album sales: 441,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Through the Wire”, “Slow Jamz”, “All Falls Down”, “Jesus Walks”, “The New Workout Plan”
2. D12 – D12 World
Released: April 27, 2004
Label: Shady Records, Interscope
First week album sales: 544,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “My Band”, “How Come”
1. Eminem – Encore
Released: November 12, 2004
Label: Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope, Goliath
First week album sales: 871,000
Billboard 200 position: 1
Singles: “Just Lose It”, “Mosh”, “Encore”, “Like Toy Soldiers”, “Mockingbird”, “Ass Like That”
