‘Bad Boys II’ soundtrack stays on top

The “Bad Boys II” soundtrack album, featuring tracks by Jay-Z and 50 Cent, retains its No. 1 spot on the nation’s sales chart, and early indications are that the CD has a good chance to remain on top next week.

If “Bad Boys II” does so, it will be the first album to top the chart for three consecutive weeks since 50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin’ ” did it in March.

The revolving-door pattern in recent months underscores the absence of a consensus blockbuster release. No album has sold 500,000 in its debut week since Linkin Park’s “Meteora” in March. That album remained No. 1 for only two weeks.

“Bad Boys” sold 197,000 copies last week, followed by volume 13 in the “Now That’s What I Call Music” hits compilation series. Four other new CDs entered the top 10 this week: Mya (No. 3), Jane’s Addiction (No. 4), 311 (No. 7) and Brad Paisley (No. 8).

-- Robert Hilburn