DMX and Justin Timberlake. That’s it and that’s all. They’re the only two artists to release two #1 albums within the same calendar year. Fifteen years ago, DMX flipped rap on its head with the release of his undeniably classic debut It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot and followed up that same year with Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood. Behind the gargantuan success of The 20/20 Experience, Timberlake doubled up with 2 Of 2 which bursted out of the gates with 350,000 (part one even appears at #11 with 18,000 sold last week, presumably people picking up both). The first week tally falls roughly 600,000 copies short of what its predecessor did, but does give Timberlake all the momentum in the world heading into next February’s Grammys. 

Rounding out the top three are two familiar names – Drake and Lorde. Expect Drake to be platinum by Halloween as the world awaits to hear what the next single from Nothing Was The Same. My guess? Perhaps either “Worst Behaviour” or “The Language” with a brief glimpse of “Connect” towards the end. Meanwhile, Lorde’s Pure Heroine is driven by the overwhelming success of her single “Royals.”

Check back next week when Pusha T experiences his first experience on the charts as a solo artist with My Name Is My Name.

1. Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience, 2 of 2 – 350,000 (350,000)

2. Drake – Nothing Was The Same – 148,000 (806,000)

3. Lorde – Pure Heroine – 129,000 (129,000)

11. Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience – 18,000 (2,310,000)

14. Nelly – M.O. – 15,000 (15,000)

26. Jay Z – Magna Carta…Holy Grail – 12,000 (1,015,000)

28. 2 Chainz – B.O.A.T.S. II #MeTime – 12,000 (126,000)

40. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist – 8,000 (1,096,000)

41. Deltron 3030 – Event 2 – 8,000 (8,000)

44. MMG – MMG Presents: Self Made Vol. 3 – 8,000 (74,000)

57. Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d. city – 6,000 (1,052,000)

62. Juicy J – Stay Trippy – 6,000 (120,000)

[Source]