Whitney Houston Reenters the Billboard 200 Charts

After the death of Whitney Houston on Saturday, Feb. 11, the diva’s “Whitney: The Greatest Hits” album re-enters the Billboard 200 chart at No. 6. It sold 64,000 copies in the U.S. (according to Nielsen SoundScan) in the tracking week that ended on Feb. 12 — reflecting only one full day of sales after her passing.

Houston also returns to the list with her 1986 debut “Whitney Houston” (No. 72 with 8,000; up 3,901%), “The Bodyguard” soundtrack (No. 80 with 8,000; up 5,213%), her last studio album “I Look To You” (No. 118 with 5,000; up 3,901%), 1987′s “Whitney” (No. 122 with 5,000; up 2,274%) and “The Preacher’s Wife” soundtrack (No. 183 with 4,000; up 3,913%).

There were more Houston albums purchased in the last week (101,000 – up 5,994% from 2,000 the week previous) than had been sold in all of 2011 and 2012 combined until her death (97,000).

Houston also arrives on the 75-position chart with seven more songs: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” at No. 25 (74,000; up 8,769%), “Greatest Love Of All” at No. 32 (60,000; up 7,270%), “How Will I Know” at No. 46 (43,000; up 5,767%), “I Have Nothing” at No. 53 (38,000; up 5,179%), “Saving All My Love For You” at No. 65 (33,000; up 6,423%), “One Moment In Time” at No. 74 (30,000; up 6,206%) and “The Star Spangled Banner” at No. 75 (29,000; up 8,278%).

Adam Lambert Announces First Single, Talks Releasing Album

Adam Lambert has set a March 20, 2012 release date for his sophomore album, “Trespassing.” The disc’s first single, “Better Than I Know Myself,” will debut on Tuesday the 20th.

For the follow-up to 2009′s “For Your Entertainment,” the former “American Idol” star brought in Dr. Luke, Pharrell Williams, Benny Blanco and Bruno Mars for producing and songwriting duties, among others. Meanwhile, Lambert served as the album’s executive producer.

The singer describes the album in a press release as “an exciting journey through the past two years of my life. It’s been a transformative period and I really wanted to make music from what I’ve experienced. All these songs honestly explore the ups and downs of my reality.”

After finishing as the runner-up on the eighth season of “American Idol” in May 2009, Lambert issued “For Your Entertainment” that November. Supported by the single “Whataya Want From Me” and a sexually charged performance at the 2009 American Music Awards, the album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Billboard Names Nicki Minaj as “Rising Star”

Billboard named Singing and rapping sensation Nicki Minaj as the 2011 Rising Star this past Wednesday after the incredible international success this year with her album, “Pink Friday.”

28 year old Minaj took the opportunity of Billboard’s announcement to confirm her next album on Twitter which is set to release on February 14, Valentine’s day next year, and will be called, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” after the rapper’s alter ego, Roman Zolanski.

The New York native stormed the Billboard charts this year, becoming the first artist to have seven songs in the Hot 100 singles chart at the same time, including hits such as “Your Love,” “Super Bass” and “Fly” featuring Rihanna, while “Pink Friday” reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

“Nicki Minaj has established herself as a force in hip-hop and pop music, and we’re thrilled to recognize her accomplishments over the past year,” said Billboard’s editorial director Bill Werde on Billboard.com.

Minaj is the fourth recipient of the award, following Jazmine Sullivan in 2010, Lady Gaga in 2009 and Colbie Caillat in 2008, and will join country music star Taylor Swift, who was named Woman of the Year, to collect the award at the annual Billboard Women in Music event in New York on December 2.