20 years ago today, Lil Romeo released his album “Game Time” under No Limit Records. It sold 93,000 physical copies first week

[donwuan]

No I'm not saying that stop that bro

You know me.

I'm taking the extreme to just illustrate how much the music industry is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NOW.

This generation cannot understand the numbers back then at all.

But speaking specifically on Romeo...

Because of the label, his dad, the industry at the time, bring independent the youth Market 106 and park radio, video etc etc...

I could understand that his debut album first week numbers were not insane

Bot damn near 100k first week PHYSICAL? has never been will never be a flop

But disappointing under performing? Yeah I could see it all things considered.

I don't if the op did this to diss Romeo

If he did? This was the worst way to do it.

That young men did his numbers in a very difficult highly competitive market

Independent

When his label was going through a huge readjustment.

No limit only released THREE projects that year.

No disrespect homie. We just having a barber shop conversation. This wasn't intended for the hip hop masses. It was an album for kids. 93000 in a week was great. Today, you would have to have 135 million streams to equal 93000 album sales. Not too many people are doing those type numbers today. All I'm saying bro.

 

[tallblacknyc]

Ya do know lil Romeo was suppose to be lil bow wow competition right? He was no limits answer.. if you look at bow wow numbers compared to Romeo there was no competition.. that’s why some would consider it to be a flop

 

[donwuan]

Romeo was in the ring tone/start of internet fame era. He was number 1 on 106 & park for weeks, his father was spending on endless promotion.
93k does not live up to all that

When Pops has a 80/20 distro deal is does. The first album sold 99000 the first week and went gold.

 

[HeavyArmz]

Although established, this was very much a low point considering their previous success. These were without a doubt disappointing numbers as such Romeo's numbers.

They had top 10 first week sales for HipHop that year. I’m just saying, cats can’t move the goal post. Homie pushed close to 100k his first week which was solid for that year.

 

[donwuan]

Ya do know lil Romeo was suppose to be lil bow wow competition right? He was no limits answer.. if you look at bow wow numbers compared to Romeo there was no competition.. that’s why some would consider it to be a flop

Bro, Bow Wow's first album Beware of the Dog did 101,000 the first week. But it did go double platinum. Lil Romeo going Gold is not a flop.

 

[HeavyArmz]

Ya do know lil Romeo was suppose to be lil bow wow competition right? He was no limits answer.. if you look at bow wow numbers compared to Romeo there was no competition.. that’s why some would consider it to be a flop

Bow Wow’s album that released shortly after Romeo pushed 120k its first week.

 

[TheAlias]

They had top 10 first week sales for HipHop that year. I’m just saying, cats can’t move the goal post. Homie pushed close to 100k his first week which was solid for that year.

It's all perspective. Take Jay-Z's numbers that week for instance. He went Gold the first week. Being able to go gold, platinum the first week was the standard. That's why the first (and sometimes second) single from the album was so important. Your first week was likely going to be your best week in terms of sales. Every week after that was likely going to bring in decreasing weekly numbers.

Taking the artists into consideration, Nas and Snoop used to pull in Gold/Platinum numbers like that and even better. Yes, 100k isn't the worst, but it's still disappointing for those guys in context.

Cats in this thread are filtering facts through limited and distorted lenses. Your run of the mill Lil's and Youngs who come out every week nowadays.....yes, 100k first week is good for them. Late 90's, early 2000s...you either had superstars, stars on the decline, or your hot debut. A debut for Romeo who was promoted to death and had the name of No Limit behind him.....93k first week is a flop. Nas and Snoop....not doing Gold or close to it the first week was a disappointment.

 

[tallblacknyc]

Bro, Bow Wow's first album Beware of the Dog did 101,000 the first week. But it did go double platinum. Lil Romeo going Gold is not a flop.

2 million + vs 500,000… if you compare the 2 what would you consider it? They wanted bow wow numbers.. gold is good but in the game of competition not so much.. like I said back than they were on some comparing and competing with those 2

 

[A to Dah K]

When Pops has a 80/20 distro deal is does. The first album sold 99000 the first week and went gold.

You keep talking about deals this and that. Flop means anticipated fan support was NOT there.

 

[playahaitian]

No disrespect homie. We just having a barber shop conversation. This wasn't intended for the hip hop masses. It was an album for kids. 93000 in a week was great. Today, you would have to have 135 million streams to equal 93000 album sales. Not too many people are doing those type numbers today. All I'm saying bro.

And your 100% right.

 

[playahaitian]

150k and up first week was good numbera back thwm

Yup

 

[The Jamaican]

What was the total album sales?

 

[HeavyArmz]

It's all perspective. Take Jay-Z's numbers that week for instance. He went Gold the first week. Being able to go gold, platinum the first week was the standard. That's why the first (and sometimes second) single from the album was so important. Your first week was likely going to be your best week in terms of sales. Every week after that was likely going to bring in decreasing weekly numbers.

Taking the artists into consideration, Nas and Snoop used to pull in Gold/Platinum numbers like that and even better. Yes, 100k isn't the worst, but it's still disappointing for those guys in context.

Cats in this thread are filtering facts through limited and distorted lenses. Your run of the mill Lil's and Youngs who come out every week nowadays.....yes, 100k first week is good for them. Late 90's, early 2000s...you either had superstars, stars on the decline, or your hot debut. A debut for Romeo who was promoted to death and had the name of No Limit behind him.....93k first week is a flop. Nas and Snoop....not doing Gold or close to it the first week was a disappointment.

Now you just making stuff up bruh.

Here Are the Biggest First-Week Hip-Hop Album Sales Over the Years

Eminem, Drake, Kanye West and more.

www.xxlmag.com

Some of these albums were some of the most anticipated albums of all time. As of 2020, only 5 hiphop albums went platinum the first week. 2 Em albums, 50 Cent,Wayne and Drake. Maybe 20-25 albums have gone Gold their first week ever.

 

[shaddyvillethug]

Actually, it's not that good today because of streaming. Lil Baby was doing 90000 a week 10 years ago and he was a hit. Now he's doing 200,000k his first week. Those are streaming numbers. Who's doing 135 million streams first week? Beyonce, Adele and Rhi Rhi maybe.

Lil baby was not out 10 years ago

 

[TheAlias]

Now you just making stuff up bruh.

I'll post what was posted earlier...bruh

How many out of these 4 went gold and plat the first week? I'll answer for you if you need help...



4. The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse by Jay-Z

Released: November 12, 2002

Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam, IDJMG

First week album sales: 545,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “’03 Bonnie & Clyde”, “Hovi Baby”, “Excuse Me Miss”

3. 8 Mile OST by Various Artists

Released: October 29, 2002

Label: Shady, Interscope

First week album sales: 702,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Lose Yourself”, “Rap Name”, “Wanksta”, “8 Mile”

2. Nellyville by Nelly

Released: June 25, 2002

Label: Fo’ Reel, Universal

First week album sales: 715,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Hot in Herre”, “Dilemma”, “Air Force Ones”, “Work It”, “Pimp Juice”

1. The Eminem Show by Eminem

Released: May 26, 2002

Label: Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope, Goliath

First week album sales: 1,322,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Without Me”, “Cleanin’ Out My Closet”, “Superman”, “Sing for the Moment”, “Business”

 

[trappstarr82]

What was the total album sales?

It didn't even go gold. That's why I said it was a flop.

 

[HeavyArmz]

I'll post what was posted earlier...bruh

How many out of these 4 went gold and plat the first week? I'll answer for you if you need help...



4. The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse by Jay-Z

Released: November 12, 2002

Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam, IDJMG

First week album sales: 545,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “’03 Bonnie & Clyde”, “Hovi Baby”, “Excuse Me Miss”

3. 8 Mile OST by Various Artists

Released: October 29, 2002

Label: Shady, Interscope

First week album sales: 702,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Lose Yourself”, “Rap Name”, “Wanksta”, “8 Mile”

2. Nellyville by Nelly

Released: June 25, 2002

Label: Fo’ Reel, Universal

First week album sales: 715,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Hot in Herre”, “Dilemma”, “Air Force Ones”, “Work It”, “Pimp Juice”

1. The Eminem Show by Eminem

Released: May 26, 2002

Label: Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope, Goliath

First week album sales: 1,322,000

Billboard 200 position: 1

Singles: “Without Me”, “Cleanin’ Out My Closet”, “Superman”, “Sing for the Moment”, “Business”

You said going gold or platinum in the first week was the standard. That’s clearly not the case. It’s an incredible achievement.

 

[TheAlias]

You said going gold or platinum in the first week was the standard. That’s clearly not the case. It’s an incredible achievement.

Being willfully ignorant won't help you on BGOL or in life. Playing stupid is a woman's game.

Read my previous statement about who occupied the industry at the time. I assure you that Nas and Snoop who did numbers like near gold or near plat first week was disappointed they didn't even get to 250k on that first week.

 

[HeavyArmz]

Being willfully ignorant won't help you on BGOL or in life. Playing stupid is a woman's game.

Read my previous statement about who occupied the industry at the time. I assure you that Nas and Snoop who did numbers like near gold or near plat first week was disappointed they didn't even get to 250k on that first week.

None of Nas albums went Gold their first week. After The Last Meal which came out in 2000 400k first week sales, All of Snoops albums 2002 and onward sole 225k or less the first week of sales. All of this is available with a google search.

 

[TheAlias]

None of Nas albums went Gold their first week. After The Last Meal which came out in 2000 400k first week sales, All of Snoops albums 2002 and onward sole 225k or less the first week of sales. All of this is available with a google search.

Again, you playing stupid is a woman's game.

I Am... debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 470,000 copies in its first week of sales. I Am… would later be certified double platinum in the United States,

Doggystyle debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 806,858 copies in its first week alone in the United States

So, pulling on whatever knowledge you have about numbers, do you now see how 225k or less the first week would be disappointing? How about 470k......that qualifies as near gold as I mentioned.

You have no argument here.

 

[HeavyArmz]

Again, you playing stupid is a woman's game.

I Am... debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 470,000 copies in its first week of sales. I Am… would later be certified double platinum in the United States,

Doggystyle debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 806,858 copies in its first week alone in the United States

So, pulling on whatever knowledge you have about numbers, do you now see how 225k or less the first week would be disappointing? How about 470k......that qualifies as near gold as I mentioned.

You have no argument here.

My argument is that going Gold or Platinum in the first week or sales is not the standard, it’s an incredible achievement that only the top tier artist achieve. Gold is 500k. Nas best opening week was I am with 470k. The rest were 300’s, 200’s. Illmatic moved 60k and took two years to go Gold. Saying he would be disappointed to not sell 500k his first week is asinine. That’s not what he does. Snoop was top ten in first week hip hop sales in 2002 with under 200k albums sold. You saying he would be disappointed in those numbers is nonsense. He had a top ten selling album.

 

[TheAlias]

My argument is that going Gold or Platinum in the first week or sales is not the standard, it’s an incredible achievement that only the top tier artist achieve. Gold is 500k. Nas best opening week was I am with 470k. The rest were 300’s, 200’s. Illmatic moved 60k and took two years to go Gold. Saying he would be disappointed to not sell 500k his first week is asinine. That’s not what he does. Snoop was top ten in first week hip hop sales in 2002 with under 200k albums sold. You saying he would be disappointed in those numbers is nonsense. He had a top ten selling album.

Nah, I ain't going back and forth with a nigga who refuses to read. Enjoy your day, fam

 

[regulus]

​

 

[HeavyArmz]

Nah, I ain't going back and forth with a nigga who refuses to read. Enjoy your day, fam

peace brother. If you would like post some numbers backing up that Nas’ albums going Gold…my bad…near Gold every release. Go for it, I am sure the other brothers on here would appreciate it. Nas peak was 470k first week for I Am. Which released shortly after he co-starred in Belly. You posted Snoop’s Doggystyle, which at the time was the fasting selling hip hop album ever. Doggystyle was released during Snoops murder trial where he was probably the most polarizing figure in Hip Hop. After his first three albums, Snoop saw between 100k to 200k on first week sales going forward. Benchmark for most rappers in the early 2000s was 100k to 200k. Nelly, Jay, Em, DMX, Kanye were not your typical artist and could clear 500k. Those guys are outliers

 

[trappstarr82]

Bullshit, it takes 1500 streams to equal one sale. 93000 x 1500 = 139.5 million streams in a week to hit this number.

93k first week? That’s far from a flop. Homie probably went gold after a few months

Back then he made bank with those numbers especially being a kid rapper.

So, that's nothing to sneeze at.

Ain't no kid rapper or grown man can make those numbers in their first week.

Niggas get 93k views and swear they famous or making money but still broke AF trying to sell their album.

No disrespect homie. We just having a barber shop conversation. This wasn't intended for the hip hop masses. It was an album for kids. 93000 in a week was great. Today, you would have to have 135 million streams to equal 93000 album sales. Not too many people are doing those type numbers today. All I'm saying bro.

Here is Master P himself, telling you 93k sold was a flop back then. The same thing I told yall.

Timestamp 25:17