Though Birdman vehemently asserts that he didn’t make a dent in Carter IV’s sales numbers, he admits he always makes a few token purchases when his artists release new music. Why would I do that? We got this money, and this money here come hard.”

“No indeed, man, ain’t no way in the world, it's impossible. “I don't know where that came from, I ain’t buy no copies,” he says. Of course, there are other, more nefarious theories as to why Carter IV outsold Watch The Throne. Some bloggers have suggested that Birdman is using his millions to buy up copies of his pal’s album with the explicit goal of topping Kanye and Jay-Z, who may have taken a shot at the Cash Money chief earlier this year. “I think that people perceive Wayne as a fun guy to be around, and perhaps he takes himself a little less seriously than the Throne guys.”

“The potential for negative perception of an artist is certainly part of the sales equation,” he says. Resnick also wonders how much personality and perception played into the sales of Watch The Throne and Carter IV, given the difference between the images of the artists involved. “People were very much into the album, and didn’t try to guard it like a big military secret.” “They didn’t really do it Tuesday to Tuesday,” says entertainment attorney Bernie Resnick.

Another reason for Carter IV’s strong performance: Young Money/Cash Money ditched the typical release cycle, instead dropping the album immediately after Lil Wayne’s performance at the Video Music Awards last Sunday night.

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