Sizzling Single ‘It Wasn’t Me’ Keeps Shaggy on Top

“Hotshot” indeed.

Pop-reggae singer Shaggy remains atop the nation’s album chart this week, with sales of his “Hotshot” album holding virtually steady from last week at 246,000 copies, according to SoundScan.

The album figures to remain strong as the hit song “It Wasn’t Me” sprints up the singles sales chart, from No. 70 two weeks ago to No. 4 this week.

Shaggy had pushed Jennifer Lopez’s “J.Lo” album to No. 2 last week, and she drops to No. 4 this week on sales of 134,000, down from 179,000 last week.

That puts her behind the Beatles, whose “1” hits collection moved up to the No. 2 slot with sales of 152,000, and the “Save the Last Dance,” soundtrack close behind at 151,000.

The other spots in the Top 10 are held this week by Ja Rule, Dido, Lenny Kravitz, Sade, Ludacris and Crazy Town.

The “Grammy Nominations 2001” album, which includes tracks from each of the five nominees in the record, album, female pop vocal and duo or group pop vocal categories, made the highest debut of the week, selling 46,000 copies to enter the chart at No. 29.

Two pop veterans also had new albums chart this week: Rod Stewart’s “Human” sold 33,000 copies to debut at No. 50, while Donny Osmond’s latest, “This Is the Moment,” enters at No. 64 on sales of 25,000 copies.

“Stutter,” the single by Joe in collaboration with fellow rapper Mystikal, logged its third-straight week as the top-selling single.

Recent Releases

LeAnn Rimes, “I Need You,” Curb. Rimes’ success with the “Coyote Ugly” soundtrack--two of whose songs show up here--seems to have sealed her transformation from country wunderkind to techno-pop-soul diva. A couple of soul and gospel-tinged tunes suit her better than her forays into the undistinctive world of Mariah-Christina pop. (Randy Lewis)

Vitamin C, “More,” Elektra. It’s easy to dismiss Vitamin C as more opportunist than artist. Although she sings credibly enough, most of these tunes about getting down, immature lovers and, of course, needing satisfaction are as blandly advertising-ready as her earlier hit, “Smile.” (Natalie Nichols)

Rod Stewart “Human,” Atlantic. It’s a bit disconcerting to hear Stewart’s always-wizened rasp plied in the kind of puppy-love R&B-lite; suited for ‘N Sync on the title track. But he manages to sell it with gusto and conviction. (Steve Hochman)

The Donnas, “Turn 21,” Lookout! The Palo Alto-based quartet again makes it loud and clear that appeasing the opposite sex isn’t in the Donnas’ nature. “Turn 21” is more about partying on, complete with the traditional Donnas version of a heavy-metal classic (Judas Priest’s ‘Livin’ After Midnight’). So forget the dancing girls and bring on the ladies who rock! (N.N.)