Usher Grabs No.1 Spot, Moves 433,000 CDs

After a four-year hiatus, Usher came back strong with his new disc Here I Stand. The follow-up to 2004's smash album, Confessions, just barely missed the gold mark its first week out.

According to the Nielsen SoundScan, Usher sold 433,000 units in his first week, making it the second highest debut of 2008 behind Mariah Carey - whose E=MC2 moved 463,000 discs.

As previously reported, industry insiders predicted the R&B sensation would take the top slot last week, after his first day sales figures stood at 146,000. Usher's last album also topped the charts, selling an incredible 1.1 million copies in its first week. The album, which went on to spend nine weeks at the top of the charts, was crowned the year's best seller.

Also debuting this week was the Sex in the City soundtrack which featured tracks by Jennifer Hudson - who also starred in the film - and Run D.M.C. The disc sold 66,000 copies for the No. 2 spot -- the highest debut for a multi-artist theatrical film soundtrack since Get Rich or Die Tryin', which also started at No. 2 in '05.

Other notable debuts this week included soul legend Al Green new disc Lay it Down, which was produced by ?uestlove of The Roots and Black Eyed Pea singer Fergie's new Deluxe EP. Green entered the charts at No. 9, selling 34,000 units - the highest debut of his career - and Fergie's The Dutchess: The Deluxe E.P. took the No. 46 spot with 11,000 copies sold.

Stay tuned for the complete numbers on Hip-Hop and R&B Charts column, which posts tomorrow.