Mary J. Blige Goes to #1 - Billboard 200 Update

Mary J. Blige has put an end to Josh Groban's reign on The Billboard 200 as the R&B singer's "Growing Pains" moves up 2-1. The Geffen release sold 204,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen Soundscan, a 68% drop-off in sales. Groban's "Noel," which had been No. 1 for five weeks, slips 1-3 with 178,000 units, a 77% sales hit.

Meanwhile, Radiohead's "In Rainbows" debuts prematurely due to street date violations at No. 157, with 9,000 copies sold. The album's official release date was yesterday (Jan. 1) in North America via TBD Recordings/ATO.

Back near the top rung, Alicia Keys' "As I Am" (J) takes a 59% sales hit but moves up 3-2 with 193,000, while the "Now 26" multi-label hits compilation ascends 6-4 with 98,000 (-58%). Chris Brown's Jive set, "Exclusive," climbs 10-5 with a 51% decline to 87,000, and the Eagles' "Long Road Out of Eden" (Eagles Recording Co.) falls 4-6 with 85,000, a 72% decrease.

Swinging back into the top 10, Garth Brooks' Pearl set "The Ultimate Hits" moves 12-7 with 77,000 (-56%). Another country star, Taylor Swift, holds tight at No. 8 with her self-titled Big Machine album, selling 77,000 copies with a 59% decline. Miley Cyrus' Disney double-disc "Hannah Montana 2 (Soundtrack)/Meet Miley Cyrus" takes a 72% hit at 73,000, falling 5-9. Universal Republic newcomer Colbie Caillat's "Coco" jumps up 17-10 with 72,000 (-49%).