August 03, 2006 @ 2:43 pm

Letoya Luckett Debuts At No. 1

by: Shayla Byrd

But it didn’t do so without a bit of controversy. Luckett’s album was released on July 25, which was, coincidentally enough, the same day that Beyonce decided to put her new album, B’Day, up for pre-sale. Rumors circulated that the act was intentional on Beyonce’s part, presumably to damper the sales of her former Destiny’s Child group mate. Beyonce denied any ill-will. "I have enormous respect and admiration for LeToya as an artist and a business woman and I wish her incredible success with her debut CD and her career," said Beyonce in an official statement that was prompted by the accusations. right "It makes me sad that people are trying to stir up a controversy where there is none. LeToya makes fantastic music and it would be great if her fans, as well as the press, could simply enjoy it on its own merits and not engage in negative speculation." Matthew Knowles, Beyonce’s manager and father, said that the pre-sale date was logically calculated based on the official release date of Beyonce’s album (September 5) and had nothing to do with Luckett’s album. However, Matthew Knowles’ words might not mean much to Luckett, as it was her disagreement with him and his management style that caused her to leave Destiny’s Child back in 2000. But despite the drama, the budding starlet is now in control of her own destiny with a number one album, two hit songs (“Torn”,“She Don’t,”), a BET reality show ( LeToya: The H-Town Chick) and an opening spot on Mary J. Blige’s The Breakthrough Experience tour. Elsewhere on the Billboard charts, Pharrell William’s long-awaited solo disc, In My Mind, debuted at No. 3, selling 142,000 units. NOW 22 was knocked to the No.2 spot, while Tom Petty’s Highway Companion and Gnarls Barkley’s St. Elsewhere rounded out the top five, respectively. Have a news tip? Email us.