And The Predictions Are In: Fantasia Saves R&B With ‘Side Effects Of You’

Published: Wednesday 24th Apr 2013 by David

It goes without saying that R&B has had it hard in recent years.

From its lack of variation (see Sex Anthems 101) and commercial decline, the slow but steady sales scored by the likes of Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Frank Ocean, Miguel and Keyshia Cole no doubt served as ray of lights in what truly has been a dark era.

Now, Fantasia joins the elite group of artists from the genre who can still boast of a potent pull when it comes to selling albums.

Find out how below…

Upon its release this week, her new album ‘Side Effects Of You‘ has enjoyed the fruit of her promotional labor- prompting a sweet sales prediction from the ever accurate Hits Daily Double.

Sales, that will hit  between the following marks come next week:

90,000-95,000 

Thanks to a campaign that launched well before the album’s release date and heavy emphasis on its entire track list, Fantasia has proved R&B audiences are still alive and willing to support their favorite acts….if those acts support themselves.

For, by booking (and killing) the ‘Idol‘ gig and hitting every outlet within her reach, ‘Tasia pushed the project to an audience far wider than her die hard fan base and evidently caught the attention (and wallets) of the casual listener.

A listener, that would have purchased more R&B releases, if the performers behind them crafted material with themes far broader than matters of the bedroom.

Confusing? We’ll explain.

The beauty of ‘Side Effects‘ lie in its universal themes (love, heartbreak, triumph etc)- making cuts like ‘Lose To Win’ to appealing to those who may not even consider themselves Urban music fans, but who truly enjoy emotive music.

As it stands, club stained cuts from the genre do work on Urban radio but do very little to move albums in the way ‘Adorn’ helped to push Miguel’s ‘Kaleidoscope Dream’ and ‘Stay’ scored Rihanna her first #1 album.

By using this formula, Camp Fantasia are set to nab one of the highest selling debut numbers in recent R&B history and if their cards are played right, Gold/Platinum status within the next year.

Your thoughts? 

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  1. Fan April 24, 2013

    LOOOOOOVE the album…Go get it everyone!!!!

    • HALF AMAZIN April 24, 2013

      This is a solid album! I supported Miss Fantasia!

  2. Diamond April 24, 2013

    That’s cool as hell ! GO FANTASIA !!!!!!!!
    I wish consistant sales a la Mary J. blige

  3. Hur April 24, 2013

    It’s a great Album! I love “Side effects of you” and Ain’t all bad”

  4. Bey Fan April 24, 2013

    Good job…. im not over hyped about the album as most ppl, but its pretty decent. I’ll give it a c+…..Really love “If I was a bird”…that song is repeat all night.

    • RoyalKev April 24, 2013

      I agree with the C+, but I really want Fantasia to do well! Btw, I love Get It Right!

  5. DAMIEN April 24, 2013

    You know what… These sales are quite upsetting for such an outstanding album – how is she saving R&B with this exactly @TGJ? Her last album sold more in its first week – but I don’t give a s*** – She’s talented, beautiful and sing her f****** ass off.

    YOU GO FANTASIA!!!

    I bought two copies of the album and have loved every single track.

    I HOPE she can go above 100k though. 😉

    • MuiMui April 24, 2013

      This is awesome and good for her she is serving
      it up good this time and r&b is alive and well.

  6. HoneychildPlease April 24, 2013

    Two Zero’s off that equal Ciara album predictions..and one zero more equal beyfrauds…

    • HoneychildPlease April 24, 2013

      Continued :

      In beyfrauds wildest dream…..

  7. Goddess Rih stan April 24, 2013

    “Woman to woman” had first week sales of 96,000 though so how is it considered “saving RnB” if Keyshia Cole can do those numbers too?

    • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

      b**** stfu

      • Goddess Rih stan April 24, 2013

        You mad?

      • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

        no but yo momma should be…like at YOU!

  8. Anne April 24, 2013

    Outstanding! Go Tasia! So many counted her out but she is pressing forward!

  9. MuiMui April 24, 2013

    Go on Fannie and make things get hot like you know you can. You are looking great this Era.

  10. onlythetruth April 24, 2013

    Keyshia cole sold more and didn’t even get enough credit….very very proud fantasia stuck to r&b with this album and didn’t go pop and still sold albums!!

    • Savannah April 24, 2013

      BUT keyshia did get credit. She got credit for being 250k copies away from gold also lol.

  11. HOTSTUFF April 24, 2013

    im liking fantasias new era, she looks less like a gorilla and she has more control on her vocals therefore sounding less like an old church lady getting strangled. I love when an artist can see what is wrong with them and evolve. Which she did, her fashion, makeup is better etc…. I wish her success cause there are some cool refreshing tracks( in a ‘ pause in the early 2000’ stale rnb world) like “get it right” .

    • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

      girl just leave this post. we don’t NEED nor WANT a compliment from you if thats the best you can do. We proud of Fanny so you just leave sir

      • HOTSTUFF April 24, 2013

        LMAO b**** HOTSTUFF is going no modafukin where ! just know that s*** and deal with it wether you wanna suck it up or breath it in !

      • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

        eat s*** b****

  12. nobitchassness April 24, 2013

    “Predictions”.

    I hope it pushes more coz #SideEffectsOfYou is a solid album!

    • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

      me too!!

  13. S****** Blonde April 24, 2013

    Oh…..Ciara could neva.

    • Savannah April 24, 2013

      Lol you are silly!

      • FAF April 24, 2013

        white f*** attempting jokes again, I See

        couldnt do what exactly? Billboard woman of the yr? 3 ASCAPS at 19? 8 top tens? 3mil sold in the US off one ERA?

        a*** got u homos acting up!

  14. Savannah April 24, 2013

    Go Fanny! That’s higher than most R&B albums that were released this & last year. If she keeps up the momentum & promo, she’ll go gold!

  15. Anne April 24, 2013

    He did credit Keyshia as well as Mary, Miguel, etc. for being a ray of light in R&B as far as sales go. However, this is impressive for Fantasia because her song was not a huge urban hit like “Enough of no Love” was for Keyshia when she debuted.

  16. truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

    YEEESSS YES YES YES YAAAASSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DIDNT THINK SHE’D GET 50K ALTHOUGH I LOVE THE CD BUT SHE PULLED IT OFF!!! YEEESSSS!!!!! THANK YOU TGJ FOR POSTING THIS!! I WAS BITING MY FINGERNAILS SHAKING HOPING THAT SHE’D GET OVER 60K AND SHE WENT 30K OVER THAT!! THAT CD IT AWSOME!!!! GO FANNY!!!!

    • IDK April 25, 2013

      🙂

  17. truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

    AND I LOVE THE TITLE OF YOUR POST SAM!!!!

  18. Kyle April 24, 2013

    Those #’s are really good considering that it was looking really bad up until the beginning of this month. If you would’ve ask me to predict what she would’ve sold then, I would’ve said like 40,000 because “Lose To Win” was not being promoted. Fantasia and her label did good though and pulled it together. It helps too if you have a HOT ASS ALBUM like she does. She seriously NEVER disappoints with her albums.

    • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

      i c NO lies here.

  19. Queen Navy April 24, 2013

    Are you serious? “Saving R&B” with 90k? GTFOH. It does no good to have such low expectations and to praise artists because they are able to meet them. 90k is bad. It’s so bad that they probably won’t even continue to promote past the first week! If anyone possibly saved R&B, it was the white guy who sold almost a million copies last month. Fantasia didn’t do s***!

    • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

      but someone should ‘s***’ in yo mouf tho h**!! look b****, we celebrating here and if you aint tryna celebrate then leave!!!

    • Savannah April 24, 2013

      It’s good compared to Miguel, Neyo, Brandy, Melanie Fiona, R. Kelly, Monica etc. Plus Fantasia is doing this with no hit single….

      • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

        Thank u!

  20. Sterling Infinity (THE NEW PRINCE) April 24, 2013

    Its not about R&B to me its about real good music, and I feel this project! Thank U Fantasia

  21. AdamMonster April 24, 2013

    Those #’s are saaaaaaad!!! LOL

    #ARTPOP2013 will surely sell 10x more than that!!!

    • S****** Blonde April 24, 2013

      That’s for sure with the reductive price of 99 cents or maybe this time she buys her own album.

    • Rizz April 24, 2013

      Don’t even try it. We’re not here for Gaga

  22. truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

    By selln cds for a dollar…b**** get the f*** off this post bfo i drag u by yo old weave!

    • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

      That was for @adam

  23. DOSSOME April 24, 2013

    to the 90,000 of us who purchased the album,way to go people…i would’ve wanted more people to buy it but these numbers are encouraging,hopefully she keeps the momentum going..i’m proud of her

    • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

      With this new single with kelly and missy itll push it further

  24. Slaylor Swift April 24, 2013

    How is this saving r&b???? This site is a mess

    • Savannah April 24, 2013

      Have you seen R&B sales lately?

      Brandy – 66k
      Monica – 69k
      NeYo – 58k
      Miguel – 67k

      Then you have the “bigger sellers”
      Keyshia – 98k
      The Weekend – 95k
      Alicia – 140k (AWFUL for an artist of her caliber)

      Fantasia is a glimmer of hope at least. And she did it without a hit single. Give credit where it’s due.

      • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

        PREACH!!

    • DOSSOME April 24, 2013

      Not just RnB,what were Ke$ha and Carly Ray Jepsen’s first week sales even with their mega-selling top 5 hits??

      • lexi April 24, 2013

        Yeah and Christina. Some artist just don’t have consistant fans like others.

  25. Cory April 24, 2013

    I went to target on the day of release and she was sold out.

    • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

      eYAAAAASSSSSS!! GET IT FROM TARGET CAUSE IT HAS 2 EXTRA SONGS. HAUNTED IS MY S***!!

  26. truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

    No taylor stretched out p**** is a mess b****!

  27. Navy Nick April 24, 2013

    YES I LOVE THE ALBUM-AINT ALL BAD -END OF ME -IN DEEP my top 3, besides the 2 AMAZING singles & SIDE EFFECTS OF U, I just love it all honestly…hehe

  28. mr.m April 24, 2013

    FLOP!
    I downloaded my free leaked copy ..
    thanks, Gorillatasia 🙂

  29. HOWYOULIKEIT April 24, 2013

    I thought she would sell more. But congrats anymway

  30. ras April 24, 2013

    she wouldve had more to predict but her label didnt send at enough cds

  31. IDK April 25, 2013

    I am so proud of her! And @ the person that said she doing this w/o a hit single. I think thats damn good because i didnt even know. Go Tasia!!! I think once all of the radio station’s (if they havent already) get wind of the joint she let off with missy & Kelly smh Man its a wrap! I think thats gone be this summer’s jam. I like that song alot! I could even see clubs vibing OUT to that joint. But I’m go out and cop that cd This Friday! #Target lol!
    #Good Luck Tasia! #Proud of her smh!

  32. danny b April 25, 2013

    I believe she would have sold more had her label sent out more copies. Because I’ve been reading on twitter, instagram and facebook that everyone has been buying the album and that stores are selling out of them across the county. So if her label had more faith in Fantasia they would have better results. Give the people what they’re asking for.

  33. Caramelboi April 25, 2013

    Yesssssssss go fantasia I am proud of u girl. Those numbers r great considering the fact her first single wasn’t a hit and she started promoting her album this month,she kicked it off in full gear this week and next. I’m a little dissappointed bcuz dis is an amazing album top to bottom and if u stankin ass b****** on this site and on her twitter and facebook pages telling her u got and love her album and u didn’t shame on y’all lying asses. To say she’s saving r&b with those numbers is a bit of a stretch but its not all about how u start,but its about how u finish. I believe her song and video for without me ft kelly and missy is gonna be a summer and club banger hit. She’s letting missy direct it to and we all knw missy is very creative when it comes to videos. I’m. Rooting for u tasia

  34. Dave April 25, 2013

    Considering Fantasia didn’t have not 1 hit single, promotion was kinda late, & started off real slow that’s AMAZING! So let’s not say she’s doing a great job, she’s doing outstanding.

  35. pat April 25, 2013

    fantastic…people are eating the album up on social media…hopefully she can hit 100k

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