Who Tops DMX? Well, DMX for One

What’s the only collection of hard-core rap to outpace DMX’s most recent hit album in Southern California? How about DMX’s previous album? The rapper’s “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” which came out in early 1998, just entered the Top 10 of the regional chart. Sparked by radio and video play of the track “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” “Dark” is two positions ahead of DMX’s current “Flesh of My Flesh. . . . “ The latter is doing better nationally, however, logging in at No. 8, against “Dark’s” No. 22.

TOP 10 ALBUMS

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Title, Artist (Nat’l Rank) Last Week 1 Americana, the Offspring (3) 1 2 The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill (2) 3 3 ... Baby One More Time, Britney Spears (1) 2 4 1999 Grammy Nominees, various artists (18) 12 5 ‘N Sync, ‘N Sync (5) 4 6 Believe, Cher (7) 5 7 14:59, Sugar Ray (26) 8 8 #1’s, Mariah Carey (23) 6 9 Greatest Hits, 2Pac (6) 10 10 It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, DMX (22) 11

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TOP 10 SINGLES

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Title, Artist (Nat’l Rank) Last Week 1 Angel of Mine, Monica (1) 1 2 Heartbreak Hotel, Whitney Houston (2) 3 3 Believe, Cher (3) 2 4 Faded Pictures, Case Featuring Joe (9) 4 5 All I Have to Give, Backstreet Boys (4) 5 6 Angel, Sarah McLachlan (5) 10 7 Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here, Deborah Cox (6) 7 8 ... Baby One More Time, Britney Spears (8) 6 9 Somebody Like Me, Silkk the Shocker (12) -- 10 (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You, ‘N Sync (13) 8

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Source: SoundScan Inc., for week ended Feb. 21