As two of R&B’s banner releases this year, Janet Jackson‘s ‘Unbreakable’ and Tamar Braxton‘s collection ‘Calling All Lovers’ have all eyes fixed on their commercial performance.
In Ms. Jackson’s case, many are intrigued to observe how her first project in over seven years fares, while for reality star and TV host Braxton, there’s the question of whether she can sustain the buzz created by 2013’s ‘Love & War.’
Well, wonder no more. The first industry estimates are in and tell a compelling tale.
Details below…
According to Hits Daily Double, Jackson is cruising with ease to #1 spot with the ‘No Sleeep’ and ‘BURNITUP!’ led set.
As for the actual numbers, this is what they are looking like:
Janet Jackson (BMG) 90-105k (physical sales), 93-108k (including streaming)
Tamar Braxton (Epic) 38-43k (physical sales), 42-47k (including streaming)
No word on whether the current estimate factors in Janet’s genius preorder-album-for-tour-exclusives campaign. Because, if those numbers not yet in the mix, the iconic diva could receive an additional boost once the final numbers are tallied up.
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All things considered (specifically Janet’s indie status, deliberate lack of TV promo, and clear tour focus), the projections and #1 spot are a major win for her. Like, whichever way it’s diced or sliced, the lion-share of those numbers are based on the pull of her name rather than any measured attempt at promotion.
We’ll hold the fort for now, but it’s shaping up to be a celebration come next week. Because if indeed a chart-topper, ‘Unbreakable’ will see Ms. Jackson become one of an elite few artists to have #1 albums in the 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s.
As for Tamar, yikes.
Not that there was ever direct competition, but her predicament is almost opposite to J. For, with 3 TV shows plus ‘Dancing With The Stars’ exposure, she should theoretically magnetise a larger mass of the market. Something that’s clearly not the case based on these numbers. One theory that makes increasing sense to us is that all her “jobs” have seen her – at best- become a TV personality and – at worst – overexposed.
Anyway, enough of our rambling…