Digital Song Sales Hit Seven-Year Low

Published: Sunday 6th Sep 2015 by David
janet-jackson-beyonce-that-grape-juice-2015-19101011010

Janet Jackson and Beyonce may not have any trouble moving music digitally but it appears that their sales have done little to stop sales of digital music reaching a seven-year low.

Bad news below…

15.6 million songs were sold on digital retailers last week.

Alas, this figure marks the lowest the industry has seen in seven years according to Nielsen Sound Scan.

Unfortunately, digital sales dip and streaming figures rise thanks to releases launched by the likes of Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and Janet Jackson whose new single ‘No Sleeep’ helped streaming figures reach the 6.6 billion mark in the same week.

Billboard adds:

The week ending Aug. 27 was the largest week for combined on-demand audio and video streams ever, with 6.6 billion. The most-streamed song of that week was Silento’s “Watch Me,” with 22.3 million.

And, year-to-date, total on-demand streams stand at 191.4 billion — up 100 percent compared to the same time frame a year ago (95.8 billion through the week ending Aug. 242014).

The topselling song of the Aug. 27 tracking week was R. City’s “Locked Away,” featuring Adam Levine, which sold 92,000. That’s the smallest sum for the week’s topselling download in almost nine years, since the frame ending Dec. 17, 2006, when Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” shifted 88,000. “Locked Away” also marks the first time that the week’s top seller fell below 100,000 downloads since the week ending Jan. 14, 2007 (when, again, “Irreplaceable” was tops, with 98,000).

That isn’t all.

For, album sales have also taken a tumble. In July LP sales slipped and fell to the 3.71 million mark thanks to a quiet year which is yet to see any of Pop’s major contenders unleash new material and lift sales to higher ground.

Could forthcoming releases from the likes of Rihanna, Ed Sheeran and Adele turn things around?

Weigh in below…

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  1. truth(nicki the reason A.I. is cancelled and Meek playn ha!!) September 6, 2015

    Honey Janet killn Bey!! When has Bey EVER performed like THIS honey??

    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x345nph

    Bey is good but Queen Janet is GREAT!! Look at those moved honey

    • truth(nicki the reason A.I. is cancelled and Meek playn ha!!) September 6, 2015

      ‘moves’

      • jjsrb September 6, 2015

        Janet sold 160 million records. But records stands for everything: albums, singles, videos, soundtracks. However, comparing one dollar singles with albums is laughable. Janet also have only 12 releases, less than beyonce alone, not to mention Beyonce and DC combined (30 releases)

    • jjsrb September 6, 2015

      It’s stupid to compare Beyonce with Janet. Janet is legendary artist, Beyonce is only average pop performer.

      • Sandra September 6, 2015

        Beyonce shitts on Janet, much better vocalist and more successful than her too if we add Destiny Child sales.

      • Legend B September 6, 2015

        Where did this The Queen vs Janet come from. Perfomer wise The Queen >>>>>>> Janet. Janet has the stage presence and moves, while The Queen has voice, moves and presence!

    • jjsrb September 6, 2015

      Sorry but, Beyonce and Desteny’s Child sold 2x less albums than Janet combined. DC + Beyonce also had less number one singles than Janet.

      • Sandra September 6, 2015

        Sorry but Bey + DC sold 190 million records, Janet sold 130.

      • Here to kill September 6, 2015

        Yeah good Ideaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa to compare what was released last century to what was released this century

      • jjsrb September 6, 2015

        Janet sold 160 million records. But records stands for everything: albums, singles, videos, soundtracks. However, comparing one dollar singles with albums is laughable. Janet also have only 12 releases, less than beyonce alone, not to mention Beyonce and DC combined (30 releases)

      • Sandra September 6, 2015

        If we ony take albums then, Beyonce + DC have sold a similar amount as Janet (70 million) so there’s that…

      • jjsrb September 6, 2015

        Yes. In other words, Janet sold 12 album releases (studio+compilation albums) in 100 million copies, Beyonxe + DC combined sold 70 million their 30 releases. It’s clear who’s bigger.

      • Sandra September 6, 2015

        30 releases? Bey has 5 releases, you mean DC has 25? Janet didn’t sell 100 million albums, either

      • jjsrb September 6, 2015

        Only Rhythm Nation and janet. sold 40 million. And yes, Beyonce and DC combined have 30 releases. Check their discographies.Releases means: studio albums, compilations, soundtracks, EPs, live albums…

    • HailBeysus September 7, 2015

      Um… Janet has a total of 21 releases 10 studio album’s, 3 compilation album’s, and 8 video albums. Beyonce has a total of 21 releases 5 studio album’s, 4 Live Album’s, 3 Compilation Album’s, 5 EP’s, 1 Soundtrack, 1 Mixtape, and 2 Karaoke Album’s. Janet has a total of 145 million records sold worldwide spanning a career of 33 years. Beyonce has a total of 118 million records sold worldwide spanning a SOLO career of 14 years.

  2. Sandra September 6, 2015

    Janet’s song sold less than 100k lmao. Flop

  3. Chile, leave my weave at the door and don’t steal it like those broke ass barb stans September 6, 2015

    Yes! Not my Queen Janet being completely unbothered and having no trouble selling digital singles when she came back out of nowhere and launch a slay attack on us that still has yet to be fully executed. I just know her first week numhers will be good. I just feel it! People have missed her to death, and she will scan platinum because of it and tye depth of the new music. I’m so happy she put the trio back together instead of working with some new trap producer. Long live Queen Janet!

    • Sandra September 6, 2015

      Sorry to tell you this, but Janet is struggling, No sleeeep didn’t even go gold and sold like 100k. Her album will see the same fate.

      • Chile, leave my weave at the door and don’t steal it like those broke ass barb stans September 6, 2015

        Just give her time. The queen is still making her round letting people know that she’s back. Also, it only charted for like two weeks on the Hot 100, so I expect it to have a slow start and slow finish. It will get there, though. Next stop……a gold certification.

      • jjsrb September 6, 2015

        I don’t think No Sleeep was intended to be a smash hit. It’s not a commercial song and Janet did a zero promotion.

      • truth(nicki the reason A.I. is cancelled and Meek playn ha!!) September 7, 2015

        Sandra go suck a diick!!

  4. Chile, leave my weave at the door and don’t steal it like those broke ass barb stans September 6, 2015

    Oh, and I just watched the R. City video last night. I can’t believe that I couldn’t tell they were Jamaican. That’s a kii on my behalf.

  5. S****** Blonde September 6, 2015

    Janet Jackson and Beyonce may not have any trouble moving music digitally.
    The lies, Janet has never been a singles artist, not even in the 90’s, same with Beyoncé, she doesn’t sell singles, otherwise the singles from her last album would have been #1, her album sales are decent but it all ends there. Rihanna sell singles, Adele sell albums, artists like Madonna, Whitney and MJ used to sell both, see the difference now.

    • Chile, leave my weave at the door and don’t steal it like those broke ass barb stans September 6, 2015

      You better speak it and stan down for Janet. Who says that you can’t stan for both Jan Jan and Madonna? There’s more than enough room for more than one legend. Go ahead and make room for Janet, S******.

    • jjsrb September 6, 2015

      Janet still holds many records as a singles artists. 10 No. 1 singles (Madonna had 12, MJ 13, Beyonce 4). 27 Top 10 singles, 25 Top 5 singles. She had 7 Top 5 singles from one album (4 of them were number ones, two number 2 and one number 4). No one will repeat that.

  6. jjsrb September 6, 2015

    Janet is way more successful than Beyonce, but that’s not really important. The artistic achievment and influence is all that counts at the end. There’s absolutely nothing significant about Beyonce. Janet and her legacy will live forever. She’s one of a kind.

    • Legend B September 6, 2015

      Gul bye. The Queen has sold over 140 million records with only 5 albums. You throw n DC records and thats over 200 million. Shes also the highest payed black musician of all time. She has the highest gross for an black female musician in touring. Janet has a better music catalog.

  7. Barb-wire September 6, 2015

    Not this Janet vs Beyonce shitt again! Can’t y’all stick to the muthafucking subject? Damn, I swear you people are 12 years old.

  8. Natasha3 September 6, 2015

    Question: If, let’s say 2 artists release their albums at the same time, 1 has more # 1 albums, however, when this artist releases singles from that same album they fail, at the same time the other artist is very successful at selling singles from the same albums he fails to top the chart with don’ t that make them equal in sells?????

    • jjsrb September 6, 2015

      From 1986 to 2001 Janet was selling both albums and singles. All her albums during that period were No. 1 and all albums gave at least one No. 1 single.

  9. Mark111 September 6, 2015

    The difference between Janet and Madonna is that Janet birthed careers, from Paula, J.Lo, Usher, Nsync and then with her influance, Britney, Aaliyah, Beyonce, Ciara and so many more. While Madonna just clings to whoever is already popping. Who has Granny introduce to the game? Where is her influence? And I mean HERS, not the Monroe and countless other white icon before her. She’s pretty much the white(r) Beyonce.
    .
    http://38.media.tumblr.com/e835e3a439a79f32fa023b91731238b1/tumblr_n4chwkS28F1r3gzcoo1_500.gif

    • S****** Blonde September 6, 2015

      I won’t even post receipts cuz that would as stupid as your comment, anyway i don’t know why you make this about M and J when you know who’s gonna win, don’t you get tired of it, your agenda won’t work, where is her influence?, man i wish music critics read your comment, that would be awesome, don’t you know that by making these stupid claims, you lost credibility, i thought you were better than that, not even a Gaga fan would write such a stupid comment about M.

      • Mark111 September 6, 2015

        All that writing and still no answer to my question. Where is Madonna’s influence? Hers, not what she already took from someone else. Nice dodge, but you don’t fool me.

  10. Mark111 September 6, 2015

    People fail to see the new market. If Rihanna and Beyonce are sell the same, just one sales faster, but the other catches up at the end. Now if the other is selling millions of singles, do the math, for every 10 singles is the price of an album. So in one era, Rihanna with singles alone can sell as much as Beyonce’s albums. It’s math, it’s a new age and Rihanna is queen of it.

    • BGKC ???????? September 6, 2015

      So by that Logic Rihanna will always be Adele’s, Madonna’s, Janet’s, & Sam Smith’s lessor.

      The Navy is always so quick to talk about Beyonce being Rihanna’s lessor, yet the only thing Rihanna is iconic for is selling 100 million McSingles. Her album sales by comparison will NEVER make her a real legend because she doesn’t make bodies of work, and is currently stalling on R8 cause her singles flopped.

      • Mark111 September 6, 2015

        Work on your ready sir, I have no ideal how you got that out of my comment. The randomness is real.

  11. Christina Aguilera September 6, 2015

    Loool Big Lol Janet is good Beyonce is good too… Lady GaGa is legendary

  12. Ovo Barbie September 6, 2015

    Someone said Janet inspired Paula. Lool. It was Paula who taught Janet how to dance. Literally. She was literally her choreographer and Janet still uses moves Paula taught her to this day.

    • Mark111 September 6, 2015

      Again, learn to read, I said she birthed careers. Paula was simply Janet’s employee. Only for ONE era and Janet was dancing on the Jackson’s tv show and on FAME. So you lose. 🙂

      • Mark111 September 6, 2015

        I mean she’s a JACKSON! The phuck?

      • Shady81 September 6, 2015

        Hallelujah Amen @Mark111 sing and preach to the choir because they act like they don’t know.

      • Shady81 September 6, 2015

        @Mark111 don’t bother arguing with a Nicki Minaj stan they stan for a plastic non lyrical rapping female figure.

    • Ovo Barbie September 6, 2015

      Simply Janets employee? More like one of the many people Janet depended on to function. Paula is the one who birthed stars dear. The iconic move in Say My Name is one of her moves as is the slide down and open legs move Janet does In If. Do your homework. B****

      • Mark111 September 6, 2015

        An employee, the end. With an even shorter music career. And Tina London did If and most of Janet’s iconic moves in the 90s. Sit down.

      • Mark111 September 6, 2015

        Depended? Paul was the one depending on that check. Boss vs worker. Know that.

    • Shady81 September 6, 2015

      Paula didn’t teach Janet how to dance Janet already knew how Janet is a natural talent if that was the case Janet wouldn’t got the role on Fame.

  13. Mark111 September 6, 2015

    I’m still waiting for S****** Blonde to answer my question. Did I just shut the white boy up? Go ahead and name your lil Gags, Miley and maybe Katy. lol, basic.

    • African Music Lover September 6, 2015

      bwahaha Mark you are so delusional but I’d still bottom for you

      • african music lover September 6, 2015

        Stop trolling as me and get yourself new screename

  14. JanStan September 6, 2015

    Trust I have been going to war for Janet as of late but yall ignoring the whole point of this post. This isn’t about who u stan for but that the music industry is pretty much being dragged to the pits of hell lol. Some of y’all to blame since u your idea of supporting your fave is to do everything in your power to make sure everyone else fails. Its OK to have a fave while still liking other artists. Hell pretty soon all our faves will only be making singles to promote their perfumes and clothing lines. *sad*

    • Shady81 September 6, 2015

      The music industry is slowly but surely dying out basically being extinct I mean just look back in the day you had music video networks like MTV Jams, Yo! MTV Bill Bellamy and Angie Martinez interviewing stars with there specials TRL Etc. Even with BET’S Video Soul, Planet Groove, Caribbean Rhythmns, Citas World 106 & Park Etc. To promote albums and showcase videos Etc. As well with the stuff VH-1 had to offer now it’s just realilty show this reality show that music doesn’t seem to have a leg to stand on now radio barely playing music and free downloading has taking effect. The question is is there anything left?

  15. What now September 6, 2015

    Is dis b**** really asking who Madonna inspired?
    – Beyoncè
    – Rihanna
    – Nicki Minaj
    – Gaga
    – Mariah
    – Christina Aguilera
    – LGBT
    – Katy Perry
    – Britney Spears
    – Kylie Minogue
    – P!nk
    – Gwen Stefani
    – Shakira
    – JT
    – Iggy
    – Adam Lambert
    – Azealia Banks
    – Rita Oral
    – Robyn
    – Backstreet Boys
    – Jessica Simpson
    – M.I.A.
    – Fergie
    – Zendaya

    Muah purposely mixed some bodies and no bodies just to let u know how INTERNATIONAL her influence is! Like Janet all u want. U will deny Madonna’s influence. U all play da hypocrite game all day. If Madonna flops, it’s 200 comments calling ha old. If Janet flops/underperforms, den she has nothing left 2 prove. FOH.

    • Chile, leave my weave at the door and don’t steal it like those broke ass barb stans September 6, 2015

      Madonna inspired Kylie Minogue, the Australian princess of pop? I think not! They’re good friends, but they pretty much started in the ’80s around the same time. Madonna did not inspire Kylie. Not the woman who wrote that gem of a masterpiece, “Impossible Princess”.

  16. Dossome September 6, 2015

    nobody even bothers to stay on topic anymore.The issue is music is Iosing value more and more.You don’t need to part with money to own it.Touring is the thing right now.Top artists are forced to charge exorbitant in ticket prices to break even

  17. Dossome September 6, 2015

    If we’re going to throw numbers around.Fact is only 5 women in the entire planet have sold more than 100million albums worldwide.They are Madonna,Celine,Mariah,Whitney and Barbara respectively.Madonna’s the only one to cross the 200m albums sold mark.It’s pretty dumb to clown her commercial impact when she basically eclipses every other female.Mariah and Madonna move average 500k albums each annually in catalog sales,that’s more than the 80k Janet moves each year.Whitney sells 1 million albums annually,that’s more than any other female.Perhaps y’all should visit other threads that provide accurate analysis on sales than screaming “Flop” all the damn time without putting things into perspective

  18. Legend B September 6, 2015

    Everytime time i take a look in these posts, im noticing Janet poor stans coming for The Queen. Janet isnt running not a damn thing this day in music. Theres a new biitch Running Things and her name is…..Beyonce Giselle Knowles Carter! Get in line Hooes.

  19. Shady81 September 6, 2015

    Nobody is coming for Beyonce @Legend B Janet already solidified her spot in music history, Janet’s a Legend and a Icon last time I check legends don’t have to compete with anybody so what you talking about Janet is Entertainments Royalty from television to music to the stage to film so the Jacksons alone has a place forever in music history archives and Michael & Janet will be known as one of the greatest sibling entertainers of all time so…. was Barry Gordy backing Beyonce or something because how can you compare Music/Entertainments actual family royalty to Beyonce Janet is close to Royalty as they come. The Jackson name alone runs music so your point I still don’t see all hail Queen Janet Jackson.

    • Legend B September 7, 2015

      Lies. From up top to @Truth is always coming for The Queen, saying Janet this or that. When stans attack artists all the time, that shows their weakness and it also shows they’re scared of that artist outshining their fav. I dont give a damn who’s gotta album coming out. I know what The Queen will do, so i dont have to bash no one. It isnt all of her fans but im noticing it more and more every week. It just simply says they’re scared of King B kii

    • Legend B September 7, 2015

      And sorry but The Jackson Family was running things 20 years ago but this is 2015. Since King B been dropping albums, Janet has been going copper. 2000 and Beyond Belongs To BGKC. #QEEEN

  20. J September 6, 2015

    TGJ has made every post,even a good discussion topic about the dying music industry, into boring clickbait stan wars. I remember when this site used to be the place to be for new urban music and news. Now I struggle to scroll down the site without 10-15 pop ups interrupting my feed and some Stan arguing about an artist.

    You, TGJ, are part of the problem.

  21. @JanetCIARA_ September 6, 2015

    Who gives a flying F**, F** the industry, just give me wtf I want!

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