Ever True to His Name, Notorious B.I.G. Is Big

The Notorious B.I.G.’s posthumous “Life After Death” became the first album in more than two months to hold onto the nation’s No. 1 sales spot for two weeks. The two-disc rap collection, which sold a staggering 690,000 copies in its first week in the stores, continued to dominate the retail picture last week by selling another 307,000 copies, according to SoundScan.

That figure doubled the 147,000 copies sold by the week’s runner-up: the Spice Girls’ “Spice.” Translated into dollars, the B.I.G. album has already generated $20 million in gross sales. The nation’s top-selling single continues to be Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’ “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down.” Combs also helped produce and performed on the B.I.G. album--as well as head Bad Boy Records, which released his single and the B.I.G. album.

What’s Hot

Here are some recent releases that are generating critical or commercial attention:

Aerosmith’s “Nine Lives” (Columbia). At a time when rock questions its future, this veteran, high-energy quintet still comes straight at you with solidly entertaining, Top 40-minded music.

The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Life After Death” (Bad Boy/Arista). Rarely has a rapper attempted to please so many different audiences--and done it so brilliantly.

Erykah Badu’s “Baduizm” (Universal). A seductive, soothing amalgamation of black-nationalist politics, romance, jazz poetry and hip-hop sass.

Pavement’s “Brighten the Corners” (Matador/Capitol). Like Beck, Pavement unreels long strings of imagery, concocting a disarming blend of charm and mystery.

Jazz Passengers with Deborah Harry’s “Individually Twisted” (32 Below). Quirky tales of love from the Blondie icon backed by equally quirky play from saxophonist Roy Nathanson, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes and crew.

U2’s “Pop” (Island). Engrossing mix of the energy of the dance music scene with songs that explore questions of personal and spiritual ideals and doubts.

Warren G’s “Take a Look Over Your Shoulder” (Def Jam/Mercury). Warren G’s remakes of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” mark him as one of hip-hop’s most musically gifted producers.

What’s New

Chris Rock’s “Roll With the New” (DreamWorks), Boz Scaggs’ “Come on Home” (Virgin), that dog’s “Retreat From the Sun” (DGC) and Various Artists’ “Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack, Vol. 2.”

What’s Coming

Tuesday: Depeche Mode’s “Ultra,” Artifact’s “That’s Them,” Lisa Stansfield’s “Lisa Stansfield,” the Jerry Garcia Band’s “How Sweet It Is,” Adriana Evans’ “Adriana Evans.”

April 22: Mary J. Blige’s “Share My World,” Robert Cray’s “Sweet Potato Pie,” Zhane’s “Saturday Night,” Ani DiFranco’s “Living In Clip.”