by Erik Pedersenand Dominic PattenMarch 17, 2015 3:16pm

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Shattering a lot of the rules of television, Fox’s Empire has been the No. 1 show on the Big 4 networks for weeks, and now its soundtrack is the No. 1 album in the country. The hip-hop soap debuts in the top spot on the Billboard 200 this week, and it’s no rare feat — especially for a network drama series. Not only has the sales and streams of the freshman show beaten a musical icon for the top spot but the last time any TV soundtrack reached No. 1 on the charts was back in 2010, when three Gleecollections hit the top spot (also a Fox show). Now those were covers of classics but for a TV soundtrack of tunes performed by the original artists – it’s been three decades since a network series turned the trick. You have to go all the way back to the first Miami Vice soundtrack, which spent 11 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 in 1985-86. Yes, a couple of Hannah Montana albums and High School Musical soundtracks topped in the chart in the mid-’00s, but they’re cable fodder.

Billboard’s official stats come out Wednesday morning, but leaked numbers suggestOriginal Soundtrack From Season 1 Of Empire will keep Madonna from having a No. 1 debut for the first time since 1998. Sorry Material Girl but it’s just the latest coup for the breakout hit of the TV season. Empire‘s ratings grew in each of its first nine weekson the air and last week hit a high of 14.9 million. This ahead of its two-hour season finale tomorrow night.

More on the soundtrack, though. Among its songs are “Walk Out On Me,” featuringCourtney Love — meaning the Hole frontwoman has her first No. 1 record. And another track from the album, “Money For Nothing,” is based on the Dire Straits single of the same name culled from that band’s 1985 disc Brothers In Arms. And what album kicked it out of the No. 1 spot back in 1985? The Miami Vicesoundtrack, of course – which came out 30 years ago on October 26

The circle of life. Oh wait, that’s from another chart-topping soundtrack.

Poor Madonna!.. Anywho this is history being made! Very proud of the whole Empire project..

Btw had TWO number#1 albums last year....

http://deadline.com/2015/03/empire-soundtrack-billboard-number-one-debut-1201394167/

[Edited 3/17/15 16:22pm]

[Edited 3/17/15 16:44pm]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

by Erik Pedersenand Dominic PattenMarch 17, 2015 3:16pm

• 
  
  

Shattering a lot of the rules of television, Fox’s Empire has been the No. 1 show on the Big 4 networks for weeks, and now its soundtrack is the No. 1 album in the country. The hip-hop soap debuts in the top spot on the Billboard 200 this week, and it’s no rare feat — especially for a network drama series. Not only has the sales and streams of the freshman show beaten a musical icon for the top spot but the last time any TV soundtrack reached No. 1 on the charts was back in 2010, when three Gleecollections hit the top spot (also a Fox show). Now those were covers of classics but for a TV soundtrack of tunes performed by the original artists – it’s been three decades since a network series turned the trick. You have to go all the way back to the first Miami Vice soundtrack, which spent 11 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 in 1985-86. Yes, a couple of Hannah Montana albums and High School Musical soundtracks topped in the chart in the mid-’00s, but they’re cable fodder.

Billboard’s official stats come out Wednesday morning, but leaked numbers suggestOriginal Soundtrack From Season 1 Of Empire will keep Madonna from having a No. 1 debut for the first time since 1998. Sorry Material Girl but it’s just the latest coup for the breakout hit of the TV season. Empire‘s ratings grew in each of its first nine weekson the air and last week hit a high of 14.9 million. This ahead of its two-hour season finale tomorrow night.

More on the soundtrack, though. Among its songs are “Walk Out On Me,” featuringCourtney Love — meaning the Hole frontwoman has her first No. 1 record. And another track from the album, “Money For Nothing,” is based on the Dire Straits single of the same name culled from that band’s 1985 disc Brothers In Arms. And what album kicked it out of the No. 1 spot back in 1985? The Miami Vicesoundtrack, of course – which came out 30 years ago on October 26

The circle of life. Oh wait, that’s from another chart-topping soundtrack.

Poor Madonna! Another flop for her.. Anywho this is history being made! Very proud of the whole Empire project..

Btw had TWO number#1 albums last year....

http://deadline.com/2015/03/empire-soundtrack-billboard-number-one-debut-1201394167/

[Edited 3/17/15 16:22pm]

Good for them. I love Empire, that show is fabulous.

But, come on...this quote is ridiculous.

"Poor Madonna! Another flop for her.. Anywho this is history being made! Very proud of the whole Empire project..

Btw had TWO number#1 albums last year...."

If Prince had debuted at #1 in the pop charts then you'd have a point. If you're going to look at numbers than Prince's two "number #1 albums last year," sold a lot less than Madonna's alleged flop. The double standard when it comes Madonna is absurd.

[Edited 3/17/15 16:38pm]

I approve of anything that shits on the head of that talentless whores parade.

Madonna's album sold more and would have been #1 if Billboard's chart tabulations still actually made sense. That tacky Empire soundtrack got away with some ridiculous streaming exemption Billboard awkwardly implimented that few agree with.

[Edited 3/17/15 17:47pm]

Qazz said:

Madonna's album sold more and would have been #1 if Billboard's chart tabulations still actually made sense. That tacky Empire soundtrack got away with some ridiculous streaming exemption Billboard implimented that few agree with.

[Edited 3/17/15 17:36pm]

[Edited 3/18/15 20:39pm]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Qazz said:

Madonna's album sold more and would have been #1 if Billboard's chart tabulations still actually made sense. That tacky Empire soundtrack got away with some ridiculous streaming exemption Billboard implimented that few agree with.

[Edited 3/17/15 17:36pm]

Empire is a phenomenon! That is not going away anytime soon, even for Madonna. She appeared on every show she could. Even spilling her guts to Howard Stern, to get to number#1. But it didn't help her. It just wasn't meant to be this time for her. Maybe her multi million dollar tour, will help her sales. Poor Madonna.

I don't care. Again, Madonna's album *sold* more and if Billboard's counting system made sense that soundtrack to Glee...I mean Empire....wouldn't have topped the charts. "Poor Madonna, my ass." My guess is that this year she'll make more money than every one of the cast of Empire, including those who appeared on that album.

lazycrockett said:

Qazz said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Empire is a phenomenon! That is not going away anytime soon, even for Madonna. She appeared on every show she could. Even spilling her guts to Howard Stern, to get to number#1. But it didn't help her. It just wasn't meant to be this time for her. Maybe her multi million dollar tour, will help her sales. Poor Madonna.

I don't care. Again, Madonna's album *sold* more and if Billboard's counting system made sense that soundtrack to Glee...I mean Empire....wouldn't have topped the charts. "Poor Madonna, my ass." My guess is that this year she'll make more money than every one of the cast of Empire, including those who appeared on that album.

[Edited 3/18/15 20:40pm]

Madonna is actually a fan of 'Empire'.She has enlisted the star of the show,Terrence Howard,to appear in her new video for "Ghosttown"

Back in the present day, it appears that Madonna herself is a fan of Empire: on March 17, the diva announced that the show's Terrence Howard would star in her new music video for Rebel Heart's second single, "Ghosttown."

this should be an interesting video

yall know damn well madonna is losing it over a damn tv show beating her out for the #1 spot. she was attention whoring all over the place with this promo, she even talked about the dead black men she slept with. and um everybody else is called a flop what makes madonna any different?

and of course she is a 'fan' of empire, its the hottest thing going and features black people, when has she ever passed on an opportunity like that.

[Edited 3/17/15 22:57pm]

lowkey said:

yall know damn well madonna is losing it over a damn tv show beating her out for the #1 spot.

Madonna is damn near a billionaire.I doubt that she's sitting in her mansion,crying over this "Oh my God,I only made it to Number 2...my career is ruined!!" LMAO

lowkey said:

and of course she is a 'fan' of empire, its the hottest thing going and features black people, when has she ever passed on an opportunity like that.

Yeah,how dare she like and appreciate something created by black people Shame on her,she should only like stuff that whites create,right? She should stay in her place,huh?

SoulAlive said:

lowkey said:

yall know damn well madonna is losing it over a damn tv show beating her out for the #1 spot.

Madonna is damn near a billionaire.I doubt that she's sitting in her mansion,crying over this "Oh my God,I only made it to Number 2...my career is ruined!!" LMAO

madonna dont give a shit about money, she is a narcissist.

SoulAlive said:

lowkey said:

and of course she is a 'fan' of empire, its the hottest thing going and features black people, when has she ever passed on an opportunity like that.

Yeah,how dare she like and appreciate something created by black people Shame on her,she should only like stuff that whites create,right? She should stay in her place,huh?

she is the ultimate culture vulture. this is the same woman who blamed her white teenage son for making her use the N word, so i guess a old white woman from america had no idea it wouldnt be a good idea for her to use that term.

lowkey said:

Qazz said:

Madonna's album sold more and would have been #1 if Billboard's chart tabulations still actually made sense. That tacky Empire soundtrackgot away with some ridiculous streaming exemption Billboard awkwardly implimented that few agree with.

I have not listened to the Empire soundtrack or the Madonna Album. A friend of mine listened to the Madonna album and he said @ first listen he wasn't crazy about it and the first single sounded like Gay dance Music...He listened to it a few times and now he loves it and says it's amazing and there are songs on the Album that different music Lovers will like"There's something for everyone"......Is the Empire soundtrack really Tacky? I heard Estelle's single on "The View" and LOVED it @ first listen...

Qazz said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Empire is a phenomenon! That is not going away anytime soon, even for Madonna. She appeared on every show she could. Even spilling her guts to Howard Stern, to get to number#1. But it didn't help her. It just wasn't meant to be this time for her. Maybe her multi million dollar tour, will help her sales. Poor Madonna.

I don't care. Again, Madonna's album *sold* more and if Billboard's counting system made sense that soundtrack to Glee...

Yes, but a portion of her "sales" came from bundled ticket sales (10,000).

how fairly considered these sales - also debatable.

lowkey said:

yall know damn well madonna is losing it over a damn tv show

Maybe she should "be losing it" because her album isn't any good.

Madonna has been charting since 1983, before many of you were even born! She had her time in the spotlight. And Lord knows she took full advantage of it. Yeah, I think we all know Madonna has quite an ego but, somehow, I doubt after being in the business for several decades, she expects every album she releases to be a smash hit and go to #1. I haven't really followed Madonna since the late 80's but I don't think she that unrealistic?

To me, this soundtrack is merely a serving platter for Courtney Love's magnificent cut, "Walk Out On Me" - so congratulations to Courtney !

kitbradley said:

Madonna has been charting since 1983, before many of you were even born! She had her time in the spotlight. And Lord knows she took full advantage of it. Yeah, I think we all know Madonna has quite an ego but, somehow, I doubt after being in the business for several decades, she expects every album she releases to be a smash hit and go to #1. I haven't really followed Madonna since the late 80's but I don't think she that unrealistic?

Thank you. Not a big Madonna fan, and I have the same misgivings about her that a lot of people do, but the fact she's even charting so highly over a generation past her prime is a statement.

Qazz said:

Madonna's album sold more and would have been #1 if Billboard's chart tabulations still actually made sense. That tacky Empire soundtrack got away with some ridiculous streaming exemption Billboard awkwardly implimented that few agree with.

[Edited 3/17/15 17:47pm]

And, let's not forget that "Rebel Heart" has been available for free since late December. The leaks pretty much killed it. I'm actually surprised it charted at all.

namepeace said:

kitbradley said:

Madonna has been charting since 1983, before many of you were even born! She had her time in the spotlight. And Lord knows she took full advantage of it. Yeah, I think we all know Madonna has quite an ego but, somehow, I doubt after being in the business for several decades, she expects every album she releases to be a smash hit and go to #1. I haven't really followed Madonna since the late 80's but I don't think she that unrealistic?

Thank you. Not a big Madonna fan, and I have the same misgivings about her that a lot of people do, but the fact she's even charting so highly over a generation past her prime is a statement.

A statement 2 marketing or a quality project?

FUN WITH MATH:

If the "Empire" show has 14.9 million viewers, and the soundtrack sold 128 thousand copies, than that's kind of weak, for the phenomenon that KCOOKMUZIQ is calling it. But of course, it beat Madonna by around 7 thousand copies, so that's all that seems to matter to him.

Both "Empire" and "Rebel Heart" show that no matter how much you pimp a product, no one really buys music anymore.

Graycap23 said:

namepeace said:

Thank you. Not a big Madonna fan, and I have the same misgivings about her that a lot of people do, but the fact she's even charting so highly over a generation past her prime is a statement.

A statement 2 marketing or a quality project?

More the former than the latter. Her music wanes but her brand endures.

TheResistor said:

FUN WITH MATH:

If the "Empire" show has 14.9 million viewers, and the soundtrack sold 128 thousand copies, than that's kind of weak, for the phenomenon that KCOOKMUZIQ is calling it. But of course, it beat Madonna by around 7 thousand copies, so that's all that seems to matter to him.

Both "Empire" and "Rebel Heart" show that no matter how much you pimp a product, no one really buys music anymore.

I bought the single iTunes tracks I wanted from Empire, and not the CD.
I got a free download of Madonna's album when I bought her tickets, and not the CD.

TheResistor said:

FUN WITH MATH:

If the "Empire" show has 14.9 million viewers, and the soundtrack sold 128 thousand copies, than that's kind of weak, for the phenomenon that KCOOKMUZIQ is calling it. But of course, it beat Madonna by around 7 thousand copies, so that's all that seems to matter to him.

Both "Empire" and "Rebel Heart" show that no matter how much you pimp a product, no one really buys music anymore.

thats like saying these artists with 20 million twitter followers should be selling 20 million albums. empire is the hottest thing in pop culture right now, a tv show scoring a #1 album is no small deal AND to beat out a iconic pop star makes it more impressive. its funny how people are saying madonna dont care about charting,ect, if that was the case she wouldnt have been everywhere promoting it, or jumping on the kanye,nickiand whoever else bandwagon. if her album would have been #1 all you would be seeing today is headlines on how madonna got her (insert number) #1 album.

TheResistor said:

FUN WITH MATH:

If the "Empire" show has 14.9 million viewers, and the soundtrack sold 128 thousand copies, than that's kind of weak, for the phenomenon that KCOOKMUZIQ is calling it. But of course, it beat Madonna by around 7 thousand copies, so that's all that seems to matter to him.

Both "Empire" and "Rebel Heart" show that no matter how much you pimp a product, no one really buys music anymore.