2011 has only just begun but things are already looking grim from the music industry. With whopping 8% decrease in album sales compared to the same week last year, artists from all genres experienced a rapid decline in their success at retail outlets. However, all is not lost.
Despite a 54% drop in sales, Eminem’s ‘Recovery’ has rebounded into the top 5 of the Billboard 200, landing at #2 (behind the unbeatable Taylor Swift) with 63k units sold. These latest numbers bring the total sales of the album to date to a staggering 3.3 million copies since being released on June 18th 2010.
Michael Jackson, on the other hand, was unable to maintain his position as the top-selling Urban act this week as his ‘Michael’ LP dipped from #5 to #18; down 82% with only 27k units sold. Keri Hilson was a bit more fortunate, however, as her album fell only 5 spots to #16, selling another 36,693 copies.
Back in the top 10, Rihanna’s ‘Loud’ climbed the pole to the #3 position, moving another 62k units (down 44%) and Nicki Minaj landed at #4 with ‘Pink Friday’ advancing 4 spots to #4 with 61k copies sold (down 54%). Moreover, Kanye West’s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ surged up 14 places to #5, selling 59k units (down 32%).
Finally, Keyshia Cole’s ‘Calling All Hearts’ managed to remain in the top 10 at the #10 position with 37k units sold (down 71%). Nonetheless, Cole was unable to outsell Katy Perry’s ‘Teenage Dream’ which reentered the chart’s upper ranking at #9, with 38k copies in sales (down 62%). Happy New Year.