‘It’s sad…so sad…such a sad, sad situation.’
Perhaps by way of the confusion that overshadowed the role out of her fourth studio album ‘4‘, Beyonce‘s status as a ‘mega-selling’ act found itself coming under disrepute when the project spawned modest numbers for the star.
Modest- in her case- being first week sales of 310,000 units. This, a figure that stood as one of her lowest but still saw her stand head and shoulders above the likes of Katy Perry and Rihanna, who are yet to scan that many units in any of their opening weeks thus far.
Now, despite the great-and at times unfortunate- lengths they went to see their latest LPs dominate the charts, these ladies have now had the commercial carpet pulled from beneath their heels by the firm hand that is…Beyonce.
How?
More good news below…
By way of its digital sales alone, Beyonce’s self titled fifth studio set has sold more units in one day than Rihanna‘s 2012 release ‘Unapologetic’ sold in a month following its November 2012 release.
In fact, come the end of this chart week, the ‘Beyonce’ is set to stand just 700,000 units away from outselling the ‘Diamonds‘ driven album in the US, where it has sold 1.3 million units.
As if that wasn’t enough, the December 21st release of its physical copies will ensure the project enjoys a steady sales run well into the New Year.
Indeed, the 600,000 units the LP is expected to scan by the end of this chart week is scanned, the studio effort will stand more than 400,000 units away from hitting the 1 million mark by the year’s end!
A feat, that would follow the one scored by the performer today, when the album’s first day sales saw it shift more units than those sold by any other female artist this year.
Just think…16 years after her debut and Beyonce still finds herself leading the Pop pack!
Should we be surprised?
Well, not really. For, as the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Cher and Tina Turner prove, audiences will never grow tired of the talent and skill that outlives the ‘smoke’n’mirrors‘ employed to support them in their formative years.
Smoke’n’mirrors, Miley and Rihanna had hoped would secure them the sales their headline grabbing antics should have brought with ease.
Alas, they didn’t…and now find themselves overshadowed by an LP the world didn’t know existed 48 hours ago.