For Justin Timberlake, life couldn’t get any sweeter.
Returning to the Pop scene after a seven year hiatus with a warm acclaim rarely afforded to his contemporaries, the pressure on him to match heights scored by ‘Future Love Sex Sounds’ eased with the release of the # single ‘Suit & Tie’.
However, if there was any doubt that the ‘I Think She Knows‘ singer would be able to rival the success of prior releases with his new LP, ‘The 20/20 Experience‘, today brought news that will no doubt put he and his installed audience at total ease.
Find out why below…
While it doesn’t hit stores for another week, industry sources have revealed that the album has generated enough momentum to move at least 500,000 units in its launch week- marking the biggest debut number since One Direction‘s ‘Take Me Down’ touched down with 540,000 units back in November.
A testament to the strength of his brand, Justin is also on course to become the first solo male artist to sell 500k since Drake’s ‘Take Care’ hit the charts with 631,000. Kind of epic, considering the abysmal sales of his trend hopping counterparts who have struggled to move a tenth of these sales even with the benefit of Hot 100 successes.
And this is how you know everyone loves Justin and was waiting for him to return to music.
#BOOM!!
After 7 years b****!! Go head justin!! SLAY!!
don’t get me wrong the album is great, ahead of its time…but predicting an album’s sales before it even releases can be pushing it
“Ahead of it’s time”, really? FSLS was ahead of it’s time, I’ve heard most of these songs before from different artists.
“Ahead of its time” lol! Really?!
Have you heard Maxwell’s “Embrya,” D’Angelo’s “Voodoo,” and Robin Thicke’s “A Beautiful World?”
I like JT’s new album but “ahead of its time” it is not.
OF COURSE A WHITE GUY SINGING RNB CAN SELL OVER 500K EVEN A FAT WHITE B**** CAN DO WELL TO
Mad cause Solange is a non-factor?
BRUNO MARS COULD F****** NEVER!!!
J.T gets his #1 albums HONESTLY and slashed to $1.99c on Amazon.
No, I’m joking. LOL.
Anyway, I honestly think it could get real close to a Mill. The promotion for him is EVERYWHERE. His SNL episode alone got the best ratings since Beyonce’s episode in 2009. (KING BEY. Kiiiiiii.)
J.T: 9.3 M Viewers
Beyonce: 8.9 M Viewers
I say he’ll get 700,000 album sales. And the album will probably end up with around 3-5 M in the us.
the album is dry….I will pass.
whats new here? I wont make it about race but the status quo is pushing these average artists heavily, now JT is a great artist far from average but this album was poor piece of work sorry.
I know exactly what you mean… But, do you think sales for Black artists will pick up if there were a:
– Black ROCK artist? The lead singer of Alabama Shakes is a Black female and they sold millions.
– Black Folk, Country artist? Lionel Richie etc…
I just think people are tired of R&B/Soul and almost EVERY Black artist goes into that genre…
Its just opinion though. It makes for a good convo.
Artists jumping genres has nothing to do with it, I have seen countless people saying “RnB is dead, RnB artists are abandoning their core fanbases” B*******! people need to learn how powerful industry insiders are…if they want to push a song or album to number 1 IT WILL GO TO NUMBER 1, whether they book that artist for many late night shows, interviews, pay for mass radio play, award show performances, I was doing research on chart manipulation(still reading about that), a label could easily push an average single to top 5 on itunes from an UNKNOWN ARTIST & 2 weeks later the song will grow on people coz its on the radio in your face and u know what? it stays there for many weeks(this is caused by real sales as people will have caught on to that song). Music nowadays is more then just nice beats melody, videos will give you more insight what they trying to do to society, anyway my prediction for JT is 350-000 to 400 000 copies…thats my prediction 🙂
There are TONS of black rock artists! The film “Electric Purgatory” looks at their particular struggle getting mainstream exposure BECAUSE they are doing rock music.
Lionel Ritchie and Darius Rucker, just to name two, have done well in country music–sure. However, there will not be an influx of black artists doing country music and get famous. Nope. Won’t happen.
The last successful black person to do folk music in the mainstream was Tracy Chapman (love her btw). Nope. Not the answer either.
The fact of the matter is black artists have always explored various genres. The question is WHY does the brilliance of artists like Res, Tamar Kali, Tawiah, etc… (they just popped into my head) go unrecognized? This is not about talent. They are UBER talented.
Finally, most of today’s MAINSTREAM R & B is terrible but this fact does not define R & B for me. Rahsaan Patterson, Ledisi, Bilal, Solange, Frank Ocean, Dawn Richard, Lalah Hathaway, Jose James, Anita Baker, Miguel, Tweet etc….define it for me. The commercial years of good mainstream R & B have passed but quality R & B music is still very much here.
u say its not about race….the masses r tired just of r and b soul?? but you’re trying to defend a white artist who’s selling big with the very music you say people are tired of, lol…..LOOKS LIKE u prove the point that he’s selling mainly cause he’s white, to me….
RIHANNA WILL NEVER SEE THESE SALES.
LOL.
And yes B******… You know it’s true!!!
I say somewhere from 400K to 600K, it’s gonna be big, he been gone for a wile. Hell, if he drop a great song, it’ll do 900+, IF. But the album doesn’t have that much of a buzz, I don’t even know the release date.
what a joke
the awful is awful
Huh?
can’t stand this overexposed arrogant jerk.
A bit like your fave huh
KATE MIDDLETON STFU YOU STUPUD B****! You’re just mad because your favorite sweaty, p**** b**** Riwhorna CAN NEVER, EVER HAVE A FIRST WEEK OF SALES OF 500,000 and with the rate he’s going, he will easily go double and triple platinum in the US…. something Rihanna will never, ever be able to do again!
#Rihannacouldnever
And Nicki could?
Nicki did 375k on her debut thats higher than Rihanna EVER did and Katy either, tbh
Even Nicki’s re-release shat on Katy’s
37k>33k
Good for you Justin!
OK. But…
If his first week sales are this astronomical and he fails to go at least on the way to 3X Platinum it’ll mean his sales were more smoke than substance. We know JT makes good music but first week rushes mean nothing for an artist’s credibility if there aren’t consistent sales afterwards.
We’ll see, well done JT.
Sidenote:
If Usher made his albums more rare events than bi-annual occasions he may experience this type of frenzy for his projects too! What I’m saying is he should have taken a significant break after “Confessions”, “Here I Stand”‘s sales were embarrassing. I’m guessing this album’s sales will match JT’s former projects.
Usher would see these sales if he tried something a little different then what sounded like everything else on the radio too. His last album was mediocre and basic. JT’s album is great but not better than his FSLS or Justified imo. People are going to buy it because it’s refreshing and slightly different from all the other male artist. That’s why Bruno Mars is selling too.
I gave the album a listen and its a solid effort, but my least favorite Justin Timberlake album. The reason it will slay is because it’s refreshing and different from what the other guys are doing. Bruno Mars’s album is selling like hot cakes for the same reasons. Usher, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Jason Derulo and others aren’t flopping because of the color of their skin. They have been flopping because they continue to do the same song and dance every year.
Francine, Bruno, Fistopher and Flusher could NEVER. King!
but usher already difd that…and did 400,000 plus
Ugh @ the Bruno shade. The tea is that Bruno’s album is much better than JT’s and he’s selling consistently. Discount or not. Platinum in three months. Not hating, because I like JT but it’s all hype. His promo paid off, but a lot of consumers will be disappointed when they hear the album. Sorry.
I doubt too many buying it are going to be disappointed, since it’s available for a streaming preview now. I’m predicting that most of the people who buy it will know exactly what they’re getting.
I’d rather see an album sell based on well executed promo than because it sold for $1.99.
I think it’s safe to say that Justin’s album is going to outsell Bruno’s.
Why are ppl saying Bruno could never? his album is platinum – some of your faves do 99c albums too
and didn’t Billboard predict Katy Perry to do over 400k first week with Teenage Dream and she did under 200k ?
#JUST SAYING
Just like Gaga sold over 1million first week then went on to move below average numbers for an album with that magnitude of hype…for a 10 track album with 2 horrible songs,6 average songs and 2 great ones, i honestly don’t see him moving half what future s** sold
OF COURSE it will sale 500,000 in its first week. I mean, have you seen the PR machine behind this album???
I’m not saying the album isn’t good. In fact, it’s a pretty good Pop ‘n B album. However, is it anywhere near “channel Orange” or “Kaleidoscope Dream?” Not.even.close.
You didn´t lie, just facts and common sense
@B**** Cant Even Spell Welfare…
EXCELLENT COMMENT. I COMPLETELY AGREE.
Well, I’m a Rock-head anyway; it’s all I really listen too…
Aside from 60’s and 70’s Soul, Funk etc… but I do dabble in Contemporary R&B/Urban/Alternative music here and there!!!
Bitter b****** mad cause their faves been out just as long and struggle to move gold status even platinum in less than a year.
Anyway step aside Justin Beiber, the hotter more sophisticated and growb Justin has returned and just shamed you.
Some of yall saying the album is weak but youre teens who dont know what good music is. Im glad he didnt fall prey to that dance pop generic s***.
I dont care if it will sell 5000 first week, the album is f****** good and thats all that matters.
I dont care if it will sell 5000 first week, the album is f****** good and thats all that matters.
TAYLOR NEWS!!!
The 22 video premieres AND the Red Tour starts on Wednesday!.
After the 2 monster hit singles.. with Trouble still at number 4 in the top 100, after 20 weeks.
Her new song “22” check out the vid on wednesday!!!
#teamtaylor
LOL! I love this. Justin’s coming back to upstage just about every one else out right now, and stans of others are seething! Well then SEETHE b****, seeth! You know 2013 is going to be his year. The media has been licking his boots ever since this album was announced and giving him red carpet roll out with promotion!
First he’ll explode with huge numbers, then he’ll probably be dominate the nominations on every major award show, while the silly ass pop girls and the 2nd rate pop boys (Bruno, Bieber, 1 Direction, Usher…yes I said Usher…who fell the f*** off!) trail behind him!
But i won’t top FutureSexLoveSounds ww sales IMO, anyway, this is a testament of the power of the Prince of Pop, the album is amazing, i see Usher and Bruno fans are having an emotional meltdown, lol.
has anyone heard the album ?
i did and it is AWFUL.
Y’all are mad because you think he’ll get preferential treatment. Meh. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
The album is trash but congrats anyway. That annoying bruno could never
Im tired of ppl saying that r&b dead. It’s not dead, it’s just going in a different direction not mainstream but more underground and that’s fine. Meaning more old school artists can make a comeback.
Yes!!!! Say it again please!
R & B is producing some of the most innovative music underground. I, personally, could care less about MAINSTREAM R & B b/c the bulk of it is garbage.
Fans of true Rock n Roll music feel the same way about what’s representing “Rock n Roll” in the mainstream. They feel its garbage. Guess where the fans are listening: underground.
Get that coin JT!
Like I said on that other JT post, I loved a couple a tracks (PLG, etc), hated others (S&T, etc), and liked the rest. A solid album (not as bad as I thought it would be). Congrats to me though.
Yes! Slay these MuthaF*ckers Justin! Lmao @ everyone who has tried to drag this man every since he came bac. Saying he will flop and I’m not buying the album cause the music sucks. Lmfao Justin don’t need u bandwagon h*** to sell lmao. That’s the thing with certain artist. Some don’t have to follow trends and sell. Some stay tru to them selves and make the kind of music they want and still sells. I luv it! People thought no one would b checkin for him. Since he wasn’t doing this lame ass techno dance pop house s***. Yessssssssssss! #IT SUCKS TO B U RITE NOW
Well. Why don´t we wait till the release of the album and see the final numbers? This screams over hype
Anyway, I still have to listen to the album. I hope is good. True talent and good music is what the industry needs more and more. Bruno or Miguel have served it but we need more men doing it
Miguelina, really, do you listen to her?
That was an amazing album. I´m sure you haven´t checked it. I didn´t care about him till last november or so, but all the amazing reviews from critics made me realize it had to be something really good there. And there really was
Why are people trying to drag Bruno Mars? Bruno is still an new artist. The man has only two albums. Justin is an Pop Icon. The ones who should b filling awful is Usher, Neyo and Chris Brown. Two has abandon their core fanbase and the other has abandon his brain. And this is an testment to Justin status n music. Sade did the same thing a couple years ago. She had not released an album for 6 or 7 years. Once she dropped that album, she did over 500k. This tells me there is a place for Justin n music. And the public is saying there is but one JT.
Actually Sade took a break of 10 years before releasing ” Soldier of love ” and it went straight to number 1 on Billboard and stayed there for 3 weeks!!!!
Kanye who????? Aww ok expect the same from Beyonce
He’s got the masses completely DUPED! Fewer artists aspire toward giving more because this generation of music listeners are happy and comfortable with less. All you need is a cute face and a beat.
BUT HE PROMOTING IT THOUGH SO NO SURPRISE. 😉
First of all let’s stop the comparisons. JT is in a different lane and it fits.
20/20 Experience is a good solid Pop/ RnB album and it WILL hit Platinum real quick.
Can I just say I loved the promo around this album.
Not too interested in MJ lite to be honest. I feel like he can push further artistically, but it’s like he’s holding back- that’s why some may have felt that ‘Suit & Tie’ was lacking. The direction he’s taking is refreshing but again, it’s not satisfying to me after 7 years. He should develop his own style instead of the whole recycled Motown thing. Make it your own. There id not really anything out there that screams ‘that is so JT’.
Ummmm that’s what the label is hoping for. A realistic prediction would be anywhere from 200-350k depending on his promo for that week.
One Direction’s album is “Take me HOME” not “Take me down”. This is a british blog, right?
As for “the 20/20 experience” numbers, well sun burns and water is wet. Mainstream folks support their music, it is what it is. So Kanye can keep talking that talk while getting that nursery ready, don’t nobody cares.
STANK P**** RIHANNA COULD NEVER!
If this album isn’t even out yet then there’s no way they can accurately predict how many its going to sell. It’s a real shame if he sells more than Usher.