It’s Still Abdul by a Nose Over Jackson

What a rare situation. One artist ruling both Billboard pop charts while another trails with both the No. 2 album and the No. 2 single. The champ, of course, is Paula Abdul, with her album, “Forever Your Girl,” and single, “Opposites Attract.” On each chart, the runner-up is her No. 1 rival, Janet Jackson, with the album “Rhythm Nation” and the “Escapade” single. Though Abdul has dominated this rivalry, Jackson has steadily closed the gap. The B-52’s album “Cosmic Thing,” (No. 5) may inch up higher, with the group’s “Roam” (No. 6) rocketing toward the top of the pop singles chart. Taylor Dayne’s album “Can’t Fight Fate” (No. 31) is picking up steam. So is Joan Jett’s “The Hit List” (No. 36).

* Alannah Myles’ “Alannah Myles” album is one of the fastest-rising on the chart, this week climbing 10 rungs to No. 26. The album is getting a mighty boost from the hot pop single, “Black Velvet,” which shot up to No. 12 from No. 20 and seems destined for the Top Five.

POP ALBUM CHART

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Forever Your Girl” 1 1 84 Paula Abdul (Virgin) 2. “Rhythm Nation 1814” 3 4 21 Janet Jackson (A&M;) 3. “Girl You Know It’s True” 2 2 49 Milli Vanilli (Arista) 4. “... But Seriously” 4 3 13 Phil Collins (Atlantic) 5. “Cosmic Thing” 5 5 32 The B-52’s (Reprise) * “Alannah Myles” 36 44 7 Alannah Myles (Atlantic)