Rick Ross Scores a Fourth No. 1

By JAMES C. MCKINLEY JR.

This week on the pop charts the Miami rapper Rick Ross scored his fourth No. 1 album with “God Forgives, I Don't,” (Maybach/Def Jam) and Phillip Phillips, this year's “American Idol” winner, topped the digital songs chart with his single “Home,” thanks to its being used by NBC as a theme song for the women's gymnastics competition at the Olympics.

Mr. Ross's album sold 218,000 copies, far and away enough to grab the top slot in another slow week of sales. That showing was the best first week of sales Mr. Ross has experienced with his albums, though he has led the albums chart three times before, with “Deeper Than Rap” in 2009, “Trilla” in 2008 and “Port of Miami” in 2006.

The only other new album in the Top 10 was Joss Stone's “Soul Sessions, Vol 2.” (S-Curve). That CD opened at No. 10 with 24,000 in sales, giving the British soul singer her fourth Top 10 album.   Zac Brown Band's “Uncaged” (Southern Ground/Atlantic) slipped to the No 2. slot, making this the fourth week the country-rock band has been in the top two.

Nas's “Life Is Good” (Def Jam) fell sharply and landed at No. 6, as sales of the New York rapper's set of songs about mid-life issues like divorce and parenting continued to taper off.  Justin Bieber's “Believe” (RBMG/Island) gained some momentum, rising three slots to land at No. 3, while the British boy band One Direction nipped at its heels with “Up All Night.”  That LP rose to No. 4 with 34,000 in sales.

A compilation of Bee Gees hits called “Number Ones” was at No. 5, driven largely by a 99-cent sale on Amazon.  Rounding out the Top 10 were the child-friendly compilation “Kidz Bop 22” (Razor & Tie) in seventh place, Adele's “21” (XL/Columbia) at No. 8 and Maroon 5's “Overexposed” (A&M Octone) in the ninth position.

On the digital songs chart Mr. Phillip's folky tune “Home,” whi ch was written for his last performance on “American Idol” and echoes the style of Mumford & Sons, zoomed to No. 1 from No. 47, selling 228,000 downloads.   The song actually sold more copies the week it had its debut in early June â€" 278,000 â€" but was ranked second during the week of June 9 behind Carly Rae Jepsen's smash hit, “Call Me Maybe.”

;