Eminem is poised to make a huge leap on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Crack a Bottle,” the first single from his new album “Relapse.”
The sing-songy tune, produced by Dr. Dre and featuring guest raps from Dre and 50 Cent, has been at No. 78 on the chart for three straight weeks. But last week it was released to iTunes and has been No. 1 at the online music retailer ever since, which will result in a huge leap on this week’s Billboard chart — possibly all the way to No. 1. Charts are released Thursday.
The only barrier standing between Em and the top spot is Kelly Clarkson, whose “My Life Would Suck Without You” has been No. 1 for two weeks and still is selling strongly on iTunes. Chart position is based on sales plus airplay. While Eminem has sales on his side, Clarkson has the airplay advantage. So it’s going to come down to whose combined figures are greater.
“Even if he has a blockbuster sales total, it might not be enough to overcome her airplay advantage,” says Chris Molanphy, who analyzes charts for idolator.com. “It’s going to be a photo finish.”