Braxton Has ‘Heat’ but ‘N Sync Still Rules

Toni Braxton’s new album, “The Heat,” lived up to its name with strong first-week sales, but nothing in the pop music world is hotter these days than ‘N Sync, which holds on to No. 1 for the sixth consecutive week.

“Heat” sold 199,000 copies to debut at No. 2 on the U.S. album chart, while Braxton’s single, “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” logged its third week at No. 1 on the singles chart. As impressive as those numbers are, they pale next to the sizzling sales of ‘N Sync’s “No Strings Attached,” which sold 248,000 copies during the week and has surpassed 5 million in six weeks.

The vocal group’s success is going beyond the record stores. Member Lance Bass is featured this week on the celebrity version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” and the group will announce plans for a feature film at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

R&B; singer Joe’s “My Name Is Joe” slid to No. 3, while Dru Hill member Sisqo’s “Unleash the Dragon”--an album powered by the huge hit “Thong Song”--also dropped a notch, to No. 4. Debuting at No. 5 is Los Angeles rap quartet Cypress Hill. Its “Skull & Bones,” which features the venerable hip-hop group dipping into the rap-rock genre, sold 139,000 copies.

Two rap albums showing considerable staying power reenter the Top 10 this week. Six months after its debut, Dr. Dre’s “Dr. Dre 2001” climbs two notches to No. 9, and has now sold 4.3 million copies.

Meanwhile, DMX’s “ . . . And Then There Was X,” which first hit the charts in late December, climbs five notches to No. 10. The retail success may be some solace to DMX--the rapper was sentenced Wednesday to 15 days in jail in Cheektowaga, N.Y., for driving and drug violations, and his high-profile tour has been dogged by cancellations and security concerns.

Other notable debuts include R&B;/pop singer Mya at No. 15 with “Fear of Flying,” her follow-up to her 1998 self-titled debut. The new collection from the Maryland native, which sold 72,000 copies, teams her with producers such as Wyclef Jean, Swizz Beatz and She’kspere, and features the single “The Best of Me.” Also arriving this week is veteran singer-songwriter Neil Young at No. 22 with “Silver & Gold.”