Kanye, J.Cole and Wale make hip hop history

Wale: Photo: Getty Images

Rap albums by Kanye West, J. Cole and Wale have entered the Billboard chart history books.

For the first time in the history of Billboard 200, rap albums have occupied the first three positions on the chart for three consecutive weeks.

J. Cole tops the chart with ‘Born Sinner’, followed by Wale with his third album ‘The Gifted’. The third position is held by Kanye West with his polarizing Yeezus album.

The record could be extended next week if Jay-Z’s new album Magna Carta Holy Grail cracks the top four. There are early indications that the new album is expected to move 450, 000 copies in its first week. If this is correct and the other three rap albums move considerable units, it might just be the first time that rap albums will hold down the top four positions on the Billboard 200.