Will Madonna or Empire Top the Billboard 200?

Rebel Heart and the Empire soundtrack battle it out for the top of the music charts.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

March 17 2015 7:27 PM EST

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November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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Madonna is competing with one of TV's most popular shows to have another notch in her belt.

The Queen of Pop's 13th album, Rebel Heart, is battling the soundtrack for Empire for the top spot on the Billboard 200. And it looked like Madonna was coming out ahead... until Wednesday. Billboard reports that Empire actually bested Madonna, with estimated sales of 130,000 for the former and 120,000 for the latter. Rebel Heart is Madonna's first album to not debut at number one since 1998's Ray of Light, when the Titantic soundtrack took the top spot.

Madonna is pushing her album by appearing on Ellen every day this week. On Monday, she performed "Living for Love" with a little assist from DeGeneres. Click here to watch.