‘Scream’ Scores

Just how badly was Michael Jackson hurt by those child-molestation allegations in 1993? Early indications, based on the reaction to his single “Scream,” are that many fans are more influenced by the quality of his music than by any scandal. Not only did the single, featuring his sister Janet, debut at the top of the Times’ Southern California pop singles chart, it’s No. 3 nationally too. The “Pocahontas” soundtrack also overwhelmed the competition in the Southern California market, entering the pop album chart at No. 1. The hot new rap album is Naughty by Nature’s “Poverty’s Paradise,” which debuted in the Top Five on both the Southern California and national pop charts.

TOP 10 ALBUMS

Title, Artist (Nat’l Rank) Last Week 1 Pocahontas, soundtrack (4) ... 2 Cracked Rear View, Hootie & the Blowfish (1) 1 3 Friday, soundtrack (5) 2 4 Forever Blue, Chris Isaak (34) 3 5 Poverty’s Paradise, Naughty by Nature (3) ... 6 II, Boyz II Men (6) 5 7 Throwing Copper, Live (2) 4 8 Baka Boyz Thumpin’ Quick Mix, vari ous artists (...) ... 9 Crazysexycool, TLC (7) 10 10 Medusa, Annie Lennox (21) 7

TOP 10 SINGLES

Title, Artist (National Rank) Last Week 1 Scream, Michael Jackson (3) ... 2 Have You Ever Really Loved a Wom en?, Bryan Adams (4) 1 3 Don’t Take It Personal, Monica (1) 2 4 Total Eclipse of Heart, Nicki French (6) 5 5 I’ll Be There for You, Method Man (2) 3 6 Freek’ N You (Part 1), Jodeci (9) ... 7 This Is How, Montell Jordan (5) 4 8 Freak Like Me, Adina Howard (7) 6 9 Waterfalls, TLC (11) ... 10 I Got 5 On It, Luniz (41) 13

TOP 10 RAP ALBUMS

Title, Artist (National Rank) Last Week 1 Friday, soundtrack (2) 1 2 Poverty’s Paradise, Naughty by Nature (1) ... 3 Vol. 2, Old School Love Songs, various artists (25) 4 4 Me Against the World, 2 Pac (3) 2 5 Safe + Sound, DJ Quik (14) 3 6 Licensed to Ill, Beastie Boys (...) 9 7 Ready to Die, Notorious BIG (5) 6 8 In a Major Way, E-40 (6) ... 9 Sittin’ on Chrome, Masta Ace Inc. (13) 8 10 Infamous, Mobb Deep (4) 5

Source: SoundScan Inc., for week of June 4