Matisyahu still tops Billboard Reggae Album Chart
IRATION, the Hawaii-based reggae-rock band debuted at number two on Billboard Reggae Albums but Matisyahu’s 30-week-old album remained at the top.
Time Bomb (Law Records) is the band’s highest-ever charter on Billboard, having maintained the number two slot for the second straight week following its debut.
Residual sales of the aged albums continue to outsell new albums even in their strongest debut sales week. Currently, seven of the albums in the top 10 are older than 30 weeks.
The band wanted the top spot but said it would be content with second place.
“Well, obviously we’re shooting for number one, but anywhere in the top 10 would be a first for us. We’re just thankful for the success that we have received — we’ve worked extremely hard for every bit of it,” the band told the Observer last week in an interview preceding the release of Billboard results. “We’ve been playing shows and touring for years now, as well as recording. To finally have success in what we are doing is a great feeling.”
The band two weeks ago outsold reggae icon Bob Marley to top the US iTunes reggae charts for a week. Topping iTunes hinted that the album — pre-released March 9 — would have charted on Billboard Reggae Album charts. Digital music accounts for one-third of the music sales and iTunes is the dominant online music retailer.
The sextet are seasoned performers who have played some 50 shows this year alone, previously sharing the stage with Kings of Leon, Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley, Sean Kingston, Pepper, Steel Pulse, Rebelution, and others.
