Mary J. Blige Sells 330-340k In First Week

Published: Wednesday 30th Dec 2009 by Trent
stronger-with-each-tear

R&B singer Mary J. Blige’s ‘Stronger With Each Tear’ LP is is set to sell 330-340k in it’s first week. Chart analyst site HitsDailyDouble reports that the artist will debut at #2 on the final tally, behind Susan Boyle’s debut album, ‘I Dreamed A Dream’, which sold another 520k this week, pushing her total to a record-setting 3 million copies since it’s release on November 23rd. Moreover, Alicia Keys’ ‘The Element of Freedom’ has accumulated 700k in sales after selling an additional 270-280k this week.

These are certainly good numbers for Blige. Regardless of the fact that her last album debuted 629k during the same time period, she continues to prove that she is a consistent sales force on the charts. What is shocking to me, on the other hand, is the staggering success that Boyle has been enjoying. Seriously, who is buying that album?!

As a staunch supporter of true talent, I am pleased that Boyle is out-performing many of her far less talented contemporaries but without any hit singles and almost no promotional presence, I find it baffling that she is able to continuously sell as many records as she has. Again, who is buying that album?!

Thoughts?

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  1. J-Wellz December 30, 2009

    LOL DATS WAT I WANNA KNO “WHO IS BUYING THAT ALBUM”

    CONGRADS 2 MARY J BLIGE.SHE ALWAYS HAVE STRONG FIRST WEEK SALES

    IM ALSO HAPPY FOR ALICIA KEYS I HEAR HER ALBUM HAS WENT GOLD IN ITS SECOND WEEK

  2. Lashun December 30, 2009

    I bought Susan Boyle’s CD. She is a testament to true talent. It does my heart good to see a person that can sing, outsell those off-key singing R&B divas and pop tarts.

  3. LostOnes December 30, 2009

    Damn Susan went 3x plat in a month..hopefully alicia goes plat by next week i kno Mary aint goin plat no time soon but damn Susan look like she’s not going to stop no time soon.

  4. Anne December 30, 2009

    “Good” is a much more accurate label for Mary’s sales than the previous article’s label of “very impressive.” Glad you didn’t exaggerate this time. Considering the economy and the lack of a hit I agree that these are good numbers. However, if she doesn’t get a hit I agree with Lostones that she’ll be slow at reaching platinum.

  5. Wes Jones December 30, 2009

    I’m glad you pointed out that there has been very limited promo work of Boyle here in the US. I only know of two people who have purchased this album, and it was for their mother/grandmother. Not to say talent shouldnt be rewarded, but i’m starting to question where all these shipments are coming from. Many people here in the US, dont even know who she is. But the biggest question will be, how will the 2nd album perfrom?

  6. Well duh December 30, 2009

    I’ll tell you whose buying the album: Older people with money to spend.

    TGJ’s audience is young music heads who mostly download and rely on album leaks. Susan Boyle’s audience are people in the 35-65 age range who don’t rely on blogs to tell them what’s hot and what’s not. I’m not sure why this is such a difficult concept to comprehend. I’m not understanding why the urban blogs say things like “SuBO is SLAYING these other chicks” when really, she’s not even in the same demographic.

    Boyle put out an album of covers and sung them well. No gimmicks, just singing songs people are ALREADY familiar with — thus, no need for radio play or videos and such. And the fact that people are legally getting her music says a lot about how we support our own.

  7. Oh Please December 30, 2009

    In regards to your comment about Susan Boyles numbers;it’s all about the audience that your CD is marketed towards. Susan Boyle appeals to white people between the ages of 40-onward. These are the people who will actually go to the store and purchase the album. They will not illegally download or burn a copy of the CD. They will buy it. As much as I hate to say it,the number of young BLACK people who will actually pay money for a CD are,well,about as low as Letoya Lucketts album sales(case in point). I have never downloaded or burned a CD in my life and I don’t plan to. I am one of the few black americans who actually believes in SUPPORTING artists. Especially black artists,but unfortuneately not many of my peers share the same sentiment and that is why unless our music “crosses over” or we become “sell-outs” we(black entertainers) won’t pull really big numbers. If white people along with any other race of people between the ages of 25-up buy your music,then you’re set. But if your label is only marketing you to the young urban crowd(you know, the 106th & Park audience) then you’re pretty much screwed. Now I’m not saying that no one under the age of 25 buys albums because there are some young people who do(I was one of them). There are always exceptions to the rule,but most young people,especially young black people aren’t going to buy anything that they believe they can get for free;and that’s a real shame.

  8. The answer December 30, 2009

    I’ll tell you whose buying the album: Older people who have money to blow.

    TGJ’s audience is young music heads who mostly download and rely on album leaks. Susan Boyle’s audience are people in the 35-65 age range who don’t rely on blogs to tell them what’s hot and what’s not. I’m not sure why this is such a difficult concept to comprehend. I’m not understanding why the urban blogs say things like “SuBO is SLAYING these other chicks” when really, she’s not even in the same demographic.

    Boyle put out an album of covers and sung them well. No gimmicks, just singing songs people are ALREADY familiar with — thus, no need for radio play or videos and such. And the fact that people are legally getting her music says a lot about how we support our own.

  9. bobs December 30, 2009

    Rihanna sold nearly 100,000 copies in her 5th week on the chart, but you won’t see that here on this website. (For you Chris Brown loving losers, that’s how much he sold in his opening week….)

  10. bobby December 30, 2009

    ^^you said nearly call us when she do lol

  11. justsaying December 30, 2009

    Mary did good but come on, she released and promoted in the month where sales are the highest. Alicia will prob go 2xp, Mary will struggle to sell platinum wihtout a hit.

    Susan Boyle
    Why ya’ll surprise, people over 35-40yrs old and up who have disposable $s, who don’t have time to read blogs, or search for leaked albums, who don’t know how to download or burn music are buying her and not just White people, I’ve seen older Black people buy her as well.

    Mary and Alicia slaying Mariah’s first week- still can’t figure out why noboyd buying MOIA- hows her tour selling

  12. Darrell H-Town December 30, 2009

    Mary did well susan cd aint orginal so when she sang orginal materia that she write or so i would take it serious mary still the Queen…………….

  13. MikeNMiami December 30, 2009

    Rihanna sold 91k last week!!!!!!!!!!!!! she will be gold next week, and platinum in 5 weeksif she continue to sale at this rate!!!!!!!!!!! Flop ThatGrapejuice????? I think not! your wrong AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  14. bobby December 30, 2009

    @MIKENMIAMI

    WHY BRING RIHANNA IN A MARY POST WHO GIVES A DAMN ABOUT HER SALES…….OH Y’ALL RIRI STANS NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT JUSTIN BIEBER KID LOL HE OUT SALES HER EVERY WEEK LOL……SAD SHE CAN’T EVEN KEEP UP WITH A 12 YEAR OLD

  15. MORE TRUTH December 30, 2009

    SUBO WILL WAY OF PAUL POTTS. PAUL WAS A FUGLY MIDDLE AGED DUDE ON BGT (SAME AS SUBO) AND WON. HIS FIRST OPERA ALBUM WENT 4X PLATINUM. HIS 2ND ALBUM, NO SO MUCH.. HAHA. LAST TIME I SAW HIM HE PROMOTED IN MY CITY. HE SANG IN THE FOYER OF THE LARGE OFFICE COMPLEX WHERE I WORK. YEA, A GLORIFIED STREET MUSICIAN. NOW IT’S PAUL WHO??? EXACTLY… SUBO WILL GO THE SAME WAY. OH AND PAUL SANG PRETTY GOOD TOO.

  16. Sammy December 30, 2009

    Hahahaha this floppy as b**** can’t sell s***! FLOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!

    Cassie Slayed this b**** when her album came out. Selling 800,000. Mary won’t reach those numbered. Her days are numbered.

  17. bobby December 30, 2009

    @sammy

    WHEN DID CASSIE SELL 800,000 FIRST WEEK SUSAN HOLDS THE RECORD FOR BIGGEST FEMALE DEBUT WITH WHAT LIKE 600,000 AND BE FOR THAT IT WAS ASHANTI WITH OVER 500,000 IN SELLS SOOOOOOOO……………..JUST ASKING

  18. Darrell H-Town December 30, 2009

    @ Sammy ……………… people sammy want sum attention his mama or family dont give him enough, Sammiy everybody know cassi sold 800,000 albums her whole career we are happy for her ok u happy now back to relaity Mary been in the game 18yr congrat Mays still selling album make it 50million albums worldwide after u go 2x platium with this album ……….as for susan congrats im not a hater……………

  19. Darrell H-Town December 30, 2009

    @ Bobby Mary broke that record selling 727,000 with break through album then Akeys broke she actually holld first weeks sales sellin 742,000 with that no one cd…………..

  20. bobby December 30, 2009

    @DARRELL

    ITS THE RECORD FOR DEBUT ALBUM THEIR FIRST

  21. Sammy December 30, 2009

    @ Bobby

    I know Cassie didnt sell 800,000 first week but i know for damn sure Marys new album won’t even be able to reach those numbers in the long run.

    Mary’s suppose to be some sort of R&B Queen? Sorry but Cassie shits on her, sales prove it.

  22. Darrell H-Town December 30, 2009

    @ Bobby ok my fault lol

  23. bobby December 30, 2009

    @SAMMY

    ARE YOUR SURE MARY’S 48MILLION TO 800,000 SHE PASSED THAT YEARS AWAY LOL I DON’T THINK YOU CAN COMPARE ALBUM SALES TO CAREER SALES I DON’T THINK BUT HEY I COULD BE WRONG…..LOL

  24. Sammy December 30, 2009

    Just wait till Electro love Drops…..people will be like Mary J who?

    Cassie is gonna rip her apart.

    Listen to this masterpiece

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2V0JDp7Phs

    Better than anything Marys has done period

  25. bobby December 30, 2009

    @SAMMY

    WOW I JUST LISTENED TO THE TRACK I’M SORRY BUT THAT WAS SO WHACK THEY SHOULD OF GAVE THAT TO SOMEONE ELSE CASSIE’S VOICE WAS SO WEAK ON THERE….BTW I’M NOT A MARY FAN LOL

  26. kenney December 30, 2009

    Why do black folk always got to throw the race card in any situation even if its not nessecary to do? Do you know how much my blood boils when you label white folk as being the dumb ones? Lyou think that vcause we got a black president then black folk should always be in the forefront? Alicias and marys albums are hot as hell but you got to understand the only people buying susans album are our parents and grandparents inclduing older black folk too. If not, then simon cowells doing some pretty shady business. I think he and matthew knowles are partners.

  27. bobby December 30, 2009

    @KENNEY

    DON’T COME AT ALL BLACK PEOPLE NOW BECAUSE I THINK WHAT THEY SAID IS B******* TO AND PLUS I DON’T THINK THEY’RE COMING AT WHITE PEOPLE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS OLDER WHITE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES WITH THE MONEY THAT ARE BUYING THE CD I THINK THAT THEY’RE COMING AT BLACK PEOPLE MORE SO THAN WHITES WHAT THEY’RE SAYING WE DON’T SUPPORT OUR ARTIST AND WE BASICALLY BOOTLEG ON THE TIME SOOOOOOOOOO…..BTW WHY DO WHITE FOLK ALWAYS SAY BLACKS PLAY THE RACE CARD WHEN Y’ALL DEALT THEM LOL (I DON’T KNOW IF WERE BUT YOU SOUND LIKE IT)

  28. S*** December 30, 2009

    Whos buying it? ill tell you, Really the same ppl that Buy Country Music. The old White PPL with Money to waste & also being that Boyle doesnt attract much of the young, she doesnt have download & Bootleggers getting in her way, on the other had Artist that promote harder like Rhiyanna doesnt get those same sales frequency & even artist like Bey whom is more Talented has Downloaders & Bootleggers in her way which is why her Album only sold 5.6 Million when her combined Single sales are much higher…

  29. S*** December 30, 2009

    & stop saying Boyle doesnt Promote, Its True she Doesnt Cuz Media outlets are doing it for her, Her Voice, That performance got over 200 million views- Thats promotion & Hype… She already sold 5 mill in just a month, at this rate shell surpass Amy Winehouse & if she releases a single its game over…

  30. Blu Majik December 30, 2009

    That’s great for Mary, considering the current state of the music industry. BTW… LOL at comment Trent. I was thinking the same thing. Who da hell is buying her albums?

  31. December 30, 2009

    it’s good for mary (the album is hot + “i love you (yes i du)” is my jam of the moment), but if it had been released any other time of the year, she would have sold a fraction of that.

    she keeps trying to replicate “the breakthrough” type success with having her album released before christmas, but i don’t see her doing 700K+ opening week again unless she has another “be without you”.

  32. number1k9 December 30, 2009

    Yeas Ashanti set the record for biggest selling female debut album selling 505,000. Let that be known. SuBo did manage to break her record, which astounds me but I personally don’t think that’s right, because SuBo’s album is re-done songs, not originals. So to me that should have her put into a total different category.

    But yeah I understand that a lot of older white people are buying her album, but how in the world is it still selling. And with little promo how do they even know it’s out. Can’t be completely word of mouth! Like this album is selling a s*** load of albums, VERY quickly. I still don’t get it.

    @number1k9

  33. bee December 30, 2009

    Susan Boyle has just opened the door for a lot of talented older artisist. This just proves put out some real music and people will buy it. I don’t know anyone who has bought this album and I find it strange that she has not performed anywhere one single off of this album but it is selling. There is a market for real music and I hope executives take note of this.

  34. SOOS December 30, 2009

    Mary’s album is a FLOP 🙁

    1st week sales combined with Xmas week sales and it is just 330k????

    Alicia sold almost that amount on its second week! (Good job Alicia :))

    I love Mary’s music so much, but please not lie! It IS a flop!

  35. Ben December 30, 2009

    I think it is Boyle’s adorable/underdog personality on the tv show she was on that gave her those numbers. It is her personality that kinda makes people feel sorry for her and makes people wanna buy it. Not saying she isn’t talented, and I don’t dislike her, but the whole Susan Boyle Brigade is just another “2009 Fad,” cause we all know we won’t be hearing any of her songs in any popular genre market.

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