music sales

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2021's Big Record Scratch: Vinyl Takes the Edge Over CDs

For first time in 30-year tracking history, the analog medium outpaced compact discs

(Newser) - Streaming seems to be where it's at these days, but music formats of yesteryear haven't given up the ghost quite yet. MRC Data, which has been tracking music data since 1991, has released its annual report , and it notes that 2021 was a "game-changing" year. First,...

Rapper Sells 823 Albums, Tops Billboard Chart

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie had 83M streams

(Newser) - Scoring the Billboard No. 1 spot with album Hoodie SZN was a big moment for New York rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie—and a new low for traditional album sales. The rapper made the top spot on the Billboard 200 by selling just 823 albums, all of them downloads,...

Adele Just Broke a Big Sales Record

That was previously held by a boy band

(Newser) - Not shocking: Adele's 25 is selling like mad since it was released Friday. Somewhat shocking: The record it just broke was previously held by ... *NSYNC. As Billboard reports, 25 had sold at least 2,433,000 copies as of Monday, meaning that in just over three days of sales,...

Why You Should Start Buying CDs Again
 Why You Should Start 
 Buying CDs Again 
OPINION
Nov 4, 2014 1:20 PM CST

Why You Should Start Buying CDs Again

It's often cheaper than buying MP3s—even if it comes with MP3s: Brian Barrett

(Newser) - Brian Barrett wanted to listen to Taylor Swift's new album, and as you may have heard, it's not available on Spotify . So he bought it—in actual CD form, something he hadn't done since 2006. He explains why on Gizmodo : Amazon was selling 1989 as an MP3...

Whitney Album Price Nearly Doubles on iTunes

Sony blamed for UK price hike, now reversed

(Newser) - On Saturday, a Whitney Houston greatest-hits album cost about $8 in the UK iTunes store; but shortly after the singer was found dead, it had jumped to a little more than $12.50. The changed sparked a customer uproar. "It is just a case of iTunes cashing in on...

Vinyl Breathes Life Into Dying Music Sales

Independent record store owners see a way forward

(Newser) - The last decade was not kind to the independent record store owner, as digital downloads—legal and illegal—and online retailers cut deeply into sales. But there's hope on the horizon, and it comes from the past—vinyl albums. Nielsen SoundScan says 2.8 million vinyl records were sold in...

Death Turns Jackson From Bust to Boom

'Tasteful yet profitable' marketing of singer's death rakes in $1B

(Newser) - Estate of Elvis Presley, watch out: You may yet be eclipsed by Michael Jackson. Jackson died on the brink of financial collapse, but a year later his estate is booming. Last year he sold 8.3 million albums in the US—more than any other artist—and the posthumously released...

With New No. 1, Jay-Z Grabs Record From Elvis

Beatles, meanwhile, maintain dominance with big week

(Newser) - Jay-Z and the Beatles lit up the charts this week, Billboard reports. Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3 sold 476,000 copies, easily capturing the top spot for the week, and giving the rapper his 11th No. 1 album. That nabs him the record, previously held by Elvis, for the solo...

Firm Mulls Release of Final Jackson Rehearsal

Concert promoter could earn millions from CD, DVD sales

(Newser) - Even in death, Michael Jackson may earn million of dollars for the company that was producing and promoting his comeback tour, The Wrap reports. The singer’s last rehearsal, recorded in Los Angeles the day before he died of heart failure Thursday, could be released as his last album. “...

Coldplay Tops World Chart for '08

Viva la Vida the year's bestselling album

(Newser) - Coldplay’s Viva La Vida was the best-selling album in the world last year, the BBC reports, selling 6.8 million copies. Coldplay was one of four British acts to crack the top 10. Here’s the rest of the list:
  1. AC/DC: Black Ice
  2. The Mama Mia! soundtrack

Clarkson Soars to Top of Charts
 Clarkson Soars to Top of Charts 
Jan 29, 2009 8:22 AM CST

Clarkson Soars to Top of Charts

New single rocketed from 97th spot in Hot 100

(Newser) - Kelly Clarkson’s new single has jumped from No. 97 to No. 1 , breaking the record held by Britney Spears’ “Womanizer” for the largest leap to the top spot, Billboard reports. “My Life Would Suck Without You” sold 280,000 digital downloads in one week and is climbing...

Chinese Democracry No Boon for Best Buy

Chain bought exclusive sales rights to new album

(Newser) - Best Buy paid millions for exclusive sales rights to Guns N’ Roses latest effort, but of 1.3 million copies ordered, only 318,000 have left the shelves, the Wall Street Journal reports. The chain was betting Chinese Democracy would be the record of the year. Instead, it debuted at...

Top Albums, Tours of 2008
 Top Albums, Tours of 2008
Aug 3, 2008 1:39 PM CDT

Top Albums, Tours of 2008

At midway point, Lil Wayne, Bon Jovi lead respective categories

(Newser) - A tough economy may be sending album sales toward a fourth straight year of decline, but tour sales are keeping pace with last year at the midway point, reports Rolling Stone. Here's a look at both categories. The top-selling albums so far:
  1. Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III, 1.52 million
...

Love Sued Over Nirvana Catalog

Company claims Cobain's widow broke verbal contract

(Newser) - Business firm London & Co. sued Kurt Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, for $975,000 yesterday, claiming she didn’t give them their share of the $19.5 million she earned from selling part of Nirvana's publishing catalog. They allege Love broke a verbal contract to share 5% of profits from...

Jay-Z, Kanye: Kings of the Road

Traveling rap shows cashing in like never before

(Newser) - It took "live bands, big sound, pyrotechnics and showmanship," not to speak of an assist from an R&B diva, but Jay-Z and Kanye West have brought hip-hop into the big leagues in the touring business. The Jay-Z tour that ended last month grossed more than $23 million,...

Vinyl Back for Another Spin
 Vinyl Back for Another Spin 
Jun 2, 2008 12:25 PM CDT

Vinyl Back for Another Spin

Seemingly obsolete, format is seeing increasing—even 'unbelievable'—sales

(Newser) - It might seem unlikely in an age where the CD’s obituary has already been written, but vinyl records are making a comeback as younger fans fall for the big artwork and warm analog sounds, the Boston Globe reports. Music stores report big yearly sales increases, and big-box stores like...

Papa’s Got a Brand New … Jumpsuit?

James Brown's estate selling everything in August auction

(Newser) - Estate sales are always a mixed bag, but the James Brown auction at Christie’s in August will be something special, TMZ.com reports. Sure, fans will be able to snag coveted items like a Grammy or keyboard, but the Godfather’s socks, underwear and canceled checks? Say it loud:...

Apple Pips Wal-Mart to Become No. 1 Music Store

iTunes rise to the top a major milestone for the Internet

(Newser) - Apple has become America's No. 1 music retailer, the Los Angeles Times reports. The company said yesterday that its iTunes store had overtaken Wal-Mart for the first time. Analysts say its ascent to the top spot after just 5 years is a major milestone for the industry and the Internet.

MySpace Music Takes On iTunes
 MySpace Music Takes On iTunes
Apr 3, 2008 2:51 PM CDT

MySpace Music Takes On iTunes

Joint venture with record companies aims to create competition

(Newser) - The world of online music buying looks set for a shakeup with the launch of MySpace Music, announced today. The joint venture between MySpace and three of the big four record labels aims to compete head-to-head with iTunes, CNET News reports. Music industry bigwigs are said to have long felt...

Mariah Carey Passes Elvis in Chart Toppers

With her 18th No. 1, she moves into 2nd place behind Beatles

(Newser) - Mariah Carey unseated Elvis for the No. 2 spot in chart-topping songs this week. Her single "Touch My Body" became her 18th No. 1 and pushed Elvis into third place, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Beatles' all-time record of 20 remains, but Carey could eclipse the Fab Four...

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