Reba knocks rappers down a rung or two

Kanye WEST and 50 Cent’s domination of the U.S. pop chart lasted one week. Both rappers experienced a sales drop of more than 70% and ceded the top spot on the tally to Reba McEntire, whose “Reba Duets” sold 301,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

“Reba Duets” is one of six new albums in this week’s Top 10, and it sees the country star maximizing her crossover appeal, working with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Don Henley and Kelly Clarkson, as well as country cousins such as Rascal Flatts and Faith Hill. “Reba Duets” gives the singer her first No. 1 album on the pop charts.

After posting the best single week of sales in more than two years, West’s “Graduation” falls to No. 2 with 226,000 copies sold, a 76% sales decline from last week’s 957,000. 50 Cent, meanwhile, suffers a similar fate: His “Curtis” slides one slot to No. 3 after selling 143,000 copies, a 79% sales drop.

Veteran singer Barry Manilow lands at No. 4 with “The Greatest Songs of the Seventies,” which sold 113,000 copies.

James Blunt, the British singer-songwriter, enters at No. 7 with his sophomore effort, “All the Lost Souls,” which sold 92,000 copies. Fellow Brit KT Tunstall, who cut through with her hit “Suddenly I See,” is not too far behind. Her sophomore effort, “Drastic Fantastic,” sold 50,000 copies to enter at No. 9.

Also new in the Top 10: Chamillionaire’s “Ultimate Victory” enters at No. 8 with 79,000 copies sold, a new high for the Houston-based artist, while Chicago-based rapper Twista arrives at No. 10 with his fifth album, “Adrenaline Rush 2007.” The latter sold 41,000 copies.

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