OutKast suffers a ‘Kamikaze’ attack but hangs on to No. 2

OutKast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,” which most pop observers feel will be named album of the year at Sunday’s Grammy ceremonies, was knocked from the top of the charts Wednesday by Chicago rapper Twista’s first solo album in seven years.

“Kamikaze,” which includes the smash single “Slow Jamz,” ended OutKast’s two-week hold on No. 1 by selling 312,000 copies in its first week in the stores, according to Nielsen/SoundScan. The OutKast album, a two-disc collection that has sold more than 3.5 million copies since its release last September, sold only 85,000 copies last week, but it was enough for second place on the chart.

In reviewing “Kamikaze” for The Times, Soren Baker noted that the album presents Twista’s “dazzling rapping skills and highlights his development from underground legend to potential mainstream star.”

The “Slow Jamz” track also features rapper Kanye West, whose own album is due Feb. 17 and is expected to generate impressive first-week sales itself.

Retailers predict Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down” will enter the chart at No. 1 next week, based on strong first-day sales for the album around the country Tuesday. After that, Norah Jones’ follow-up to her Grammy-winning “Come Away With Me” is due in stores Feb. 10 and is expected to enter the chart at No. 1.