Michael Jackson Pushes Several Albums Up On The Billboard 200

It’s not uncommon for legacy artists to appear on some of Billboard’s charts, such as the Billboard 200, which ranks the biggest albums in America. Many beloved bands and singers who have either retired or passed away continue to make a home on the tally, thanks to popular compilations or, in some select cases, a proper full-length that simply won’t go away.

It’s rare for any late superstar to snag more than one space on the Billboard 200, as usually a single compilation is enough to satisfy the American public. Michael Jackson is one of the few artists no longer with us who can regularly score multiple top performers at once. This week, his two wins aren’t just holding on, they’re climbing together.

Two Michael Jackson Albums Rise on the Billboard 200

Both The Essential Michael Jackson and Thriller live on the Billboard 200 this week, and the two efforts are on the rise, though they only ascend slightly. The Essential climbs from No. 85 to No. 83, while Thriller pushes five spaces north to No. 136.

A Growth in Consumption

Jackson isn’t just rising on the Billboard 200, his albums are actually growing in terms of consumption. The Essential moved a little under 13,200 equivalent units last week in the U.S., according to Luminate. That’s up about 3% from the frame before. Thriller, meanwhile, shifted just under 10,800 equivalent units – a growth of more than 6% week-over-week.

Some of the Longest-Charting Albums in U.S. History

Both The Essential and Thriller rank among the longest-charting albums in the history of the Billboard 200. With 685 weeks to its credit, Thriller stands as the tenth longest-running project on the tally, while The Essential recently passed its first decade on the list.

Thriller and The Essential Michael Jackson

Thriller appears on five Billboard charts this week, and its performance is mixed. The blockbuster rises on some rankings, declines on others, and holds steady on both the Vinyl Albums and Top R&B Albums lists.

The Essential, meanwhile, can be found on only a trio of tallies, but it surges on all of them. In addition to rising slightly on the Billboard 200, the compilation — which gathers together many of Jackson’s most famous tracks, including some that are also featured on Thriller — lifts one space on both the Top R&B Albums (No. 7) and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts (No. 19).