Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' Scores Biggest Sales Week of 2024

Courtesy Photo: Blair Caldwell/Parkwood Entertainment

Beyoncé has once again ascended to the pinnacle of the music industry, with her latest album "Cowboy Carter" galloping straight to the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart, securing her eighth No. 1 album on the all-genre chart.

According to data from Luminate, "Cowboy Carter" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart dated April 13, with an impressive 407,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. for the week ending April 4. This remarkable achievement marks Beyoncé's biggest week in terms of album units since her groundbreaking "Lemonade" album debuted with 653,000 units back in May 2016.

Notably, "Cowboy Carter" also achieved the biggest week for any album in 2024 and the largest since Taylor Swift's "1989 (Taylor's Version)" debuted with 1.653 million units in November 2023. The album's launch also marks Beyoncé's largest streaming week ever, underlining her enduring influence and popularity across various platforms.

In a historic moment, "Cowboy Carter" simultaneously topped multiple Billboard charts, including Top Country Albums, Americana/Folk Albums, and Top Album Sales charts. Beyoncé becomes the first Black woman ever to lead the Top Country Albums list, further solidifying her status as a boundary-breaking artist transcending genre boundaries.

The success of "Cowboy Carter" was propelled by the release of singles "Texas Hold ‘Em" and "16 Carriages," which debuted and peaked at Nos. 1 and 9, respectively, on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. These achievements mark Beyoncé's first entries on the country chart and further underscore her versatility as an artist capable of dominating multiple genres.

"Cowboy Carter" boasts an impressive lineup of featured artists, including Miley Cyrus, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Post Malone, and Stevie Wonder, among others. The album's eclectic mix of collaborators adds depth and diversity to Beyoncé's musical repertoire, showcasing her ability to collaborate with a wide range of talents.

In addition to its chart-topping success, "Cowboy Carter" also achieved remarkable sales figures across various formats. The vinyl edition of the album sold 62,000 copies, marking Beyoncé's biggest week on vinyl and the largest week for any vinyl album in 2024.

Dark Cloud Over Combs Dynasty: Christian 'King' Combs Faces Assault Claims

Photo Credit: Instagram/kingcombs

Amidst a flurry of legal battles and lingering controversies, the ongoing saga enveloping the Combs family takes yet another dramatic turn.

On Thursday, Grace O’Marcaigh initiated legal action against Christian "King" Combs, son of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, alleging sexual assault during a luxurious yacht excursion. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, paints a stark picture of a seemingly innocent voyage spiraling into a scene of excess, as reported by NBC News.

According to court documents, O’Marcaigh, then 25 and employed as a steward on the vessel, witnessed a disturbing spectacle of partying and drug use, with celebrities and women, allegedly sex workers, in attendance. Her apprehension escalated as she observed women becoming visibly impaired after consuming drinks, fueling concerns for her own safety.

Now Diddy’s son Christian “King” Combs is being sued right along with his nefarious father! #diddy #pdiddy #seancombs #diddyraid #christiancombs #christiankingcombs #graceomarcaigh #rodneyjones #tyroneblackburn pic.twitter.com/Yu163T1OWU

— Divine Goddess 🇲🇦 (@DGoddess27) April 5, 2024

The lawsuit contends that Christian Combs, 26, coerced O’Marcaigh into consuming tequila shots, leading her to suspect foul play as she began experiencing its effects. O’Marcaigh alleges that Christian subsequently assaulted her sexually, despite her protests captured in audio clips submitted as evidence.

JUST IN: Footage of FBI raid on Diddy's LA mansion; The mother of two of his sons says the raid 'over zealous' and 'overtly militarized' because they are black

The video shows Justin and King Combs being escorted through the mansion

Misa Hylton:
‘The over zealous and overtly… pic.twitter.com/d0DckQ0Rvi

— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) April 2, 2024

Detailing the assault, O’Marcaigh recounts an incident where Christian cornered her, attempted to coerce her into performing oral sex, and groped her. The lawsuit further claims that O’Marcaigh endured physical and psychological trauma following the assault, including anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal ideations, an eating disorder,and epileptic seizures.

Tyrone Blackburn, O’Marcaigh's attorney, emphasized the importance of accountability in the face of such grave allegations. These allegations emerge amidst a federal sex trafficking investigation involving Sean 'Diddy' Combs, intensifying the legal complexity surrounding the family. Blackburn drew chilling parallels between father and son, bluntly stating, "Like father, like son."

From Lizard to Legend: 'The Dragon' Sisqo Unmasked on 'Masked Singer'

Photo Credit: Michael Becker/FOX

Fans of “The Masked Singer” who thought the Lizard might prevail in the popular Fox reality singing competition were proved wrong-wrug-wrong-wrong-wrong Wednesday when the show unleashed “The Dragon.” This reveal showed that Grammy-nominated singer Mark Althavan Andrews, better known as Sisqó, was the man behind the Lizard’s mask.

As the Group C final unfolded, Sisqó's Lizard persona bid farewell to the competition after a spirited performance of "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence. He placed third.

Following his unmasking, Sisqó, 45, spoke with host Nick Cannon about his love for the show. "My family watches religiously, and they always insisted I was on it!" he said. "So when the opportunity came, I jumped at it – it's been a blast."

During the competition's "smackdowns," Sisqó channeled his resilience into the Dragon's performances. A poignant clue package alluded to his past struggles, highlighting how he overcame the temptations of a reckless lifestyle. Visual clues connected to fellow "Masked Singer" participant Busta Rhymes (as the Dragon), a microphone, and a photo of Beyoncé hinted at moments in his career.

Since his iconic 2000 hit "Thong Song," Sisqo's career has experienced highs and lows. Despite early success, he faced record label conflicts and a reputation for being "difficult."

In a 2016 "Where Are They Now?" interview, Sisqó reflected on these industry challenges and his desire for more creative control. He continues to make music and tours with the R&B group Dru Hill.