Los Angeles, June 29: The solo album from Beyonce Knowles, focal member of R&B girl group Destiny's Child, is destined to rule the pop charts when latest data are released next Wednesday. Although it will fall well shy of the 663,000-copy opener that began a two-week run at No. 1 for Destiny's Child's "Survivor" in 2001, her "Dangerously in Love" (Columbia) appears on course for a handsome start.
According to first-day numbers reported by retail chains, chart forecasters say the album will open in the range of 350,000-375,000 copies. That would dwarf the best weeks for solo albums by fellow Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland (77,000) and Michelle Williams (17,000). (Williams' album was a gospel release.)
Also poised for a strong start is Michelle Branch's sophomore set "Hotel Paper" (Maverick/Warner Bros.). The 19-year-old singer/songwriter looks on course to surpass 130,000 and could go as much as 40,000 higher than that.
Branch's first album, "The Spirit Room," released in 2001, sold 68,000 in its biggest week, the Christmas frame of the following year.
First-day numbers also project a 100,000-plus week for rap act Three 6 Mafia's "Da Unbreakables" (Hypnotized Minds). One of its earlier albums, "When the Smoke Clears," racked up 157,000 in 2000.
Bureau Report