Elite 100: Thomas Rhett Saunters Up To No. 2; Calboy Makes Debut

Thomas Rhett has proven himself to be a major force within country music as his latest release has propelled him to the No. 2 spot on the Elite 100 Artists chart for the week ending June 6. 

Rhett dropped Center Point Road May 31 and he earned 97,500 total album units for the week, putting him behind only seemingly perennial leader Billie Eilish. The country star had a healthy blend of stats, with 44,400 album sales, 65,200 song sales, and 59.8 million on-demand streams.

Rhett has a ton of amphitheater and arena dates coming up in the U.S. His next play is scheduled at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Va., June 13. 

Rhett has been on the road a ton over the last few years. He has opened stadiums with Luke Bryan and performed in arenas and sheds with Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean before gradually taking on more and more headline plays. Last year was the first time Rhett made it onto the Year End Top 200 North American Tours chart, with $19.9 million reported in total gross. His average ticket price was moderate at $66 and his average ticket count came in at 9,704.

New-school gangster rapper Youngboy Never Broke Again released a one minute and 52 second single, “FREEDDAWG,” but it didn’t really impact his chart position at all, as he came in at No. 12 with 49,900 total album units, up from No. 13 with 48,400 total units last week. Streams were his strongest category both weeks, with 50.4 million last week and 50.5 million this week.

Denzel Curry came back onto the chart at No. 78 after the release of his latest album, Zuu, May 31. He logged 20,200 total album units for the week, most of which were in his 23.6 million on-demand streams. Curry will be touring with chart leader Billie Eilish throughout the summer, with their next stop being at Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion in Boston, June 14. 

Right after Curry on the chart at No. 79 is newcomer Calboy, who released Wildboy May 31. That album includes the streaming sensation “Envy Me,” which no doubt drew tons of attention to the rising rapper.

Gospel luminary Kirk Franklin released a new project May 31, titled LONG LIVE LOVE. His entry on the chart was largely fueled by album sales, of which he recorded 13,400 for the week. He also sold 5,100 songs and logged 5.6 million on-demand streams. 

The lucky No. 100 spot is occupied by trap legend Gucci Mane, who released a new track with Justin Bieber, titled “Love Thru The Computer,” May 31. 

Next week’s chart will include data for new projects from Santana, Luke Combs, Jonas Brothers, Tyga, Neil Young, Future, Tee Grizzley, Peter Frampton, Perry Farrell, Silversun Pickups, and a posthumous release from Avicii.

Also, be on the lookout this week for new projects from Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Bastille, Goldlink, Two Door Cinema Club, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, Jean Deaux, X Ambassadors, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Iron & Wine + Calexico, Baroness, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and Bill Callahan.