Today's Music Industry

Music Industry Today: Singer

Today’s music industry is in high contrast with pervious years.  Artist albums went from going diamond, to eight times platinum, to four or five times platinum, to double platinum, to just platinum, to gold to not even selling gold. All artist have been affected.  Back in the day rtist whose whole album went only platinum were in threat of getting dropped from their label or having a smaller budget for their next album, but now artist who go platinum are the most bankable. Even selling over 500 k (going gold in the US) now-a-days means you still have a strong future as a singer in today’s industry.  Album first week sales have seen a drop over the years as well. Artist used to sell over 400 k in the 1^st week; some still do while others have dropped experienced less than hoped for.

Well established artist that are iconic yet very active (see. Beyonce’, Usher) still do excellent numbers during 1^st week sales. Usher last album Raymond vs Raymond (2010) sold over 300k during its 1^st week of release, Beyonce’ last album Sasha Fierce (2008) sold over 480k during its 1^st week of release.

The new breed of young Pop/R&B artists still surpass their peers. (see. Rihanna, Trey Songz) Trey Songz last album Passion, Pain, Pleasure (2010) sold over 207 k during its 1^st week of release while Rihanna’s last album Loud (2010) sold over 240k.

Artist with minimum or little to no promotion but still an impressive fan base sell are now selling at least 60k during 1^st week sales. Even more impressive artist break the 100k and 150k mark during 1^st week sales. This may not sound like much but in today’s industry it means job well done.  Examples: Keri Hilson recently released No Boys Allowed which sold over 100 k during its 1^st week of release. Jazmine Sullivan recently released Love Me Back which sold over 57 k during its 1^st week of release. They both have a good chance of at least going Gold (selling over 500 k in the US). Then there are artist like Keyshia Cole selling 128 k during the 1^st week of her most recent album Calling All Hearts. Whereas, she sold over 300 k during the 1^st week sales of her last album A Different Me. Her difference in sales can be attributed to her extreme lack of promo and her releasing the album before having anywhere close to a hit single. Singles Ain’t Thru feat. Nicki Minaj and  Long Way Down were pretty well received, however her promo did not go into affect until within the same month of the album release. That was far from enough time for a single to chart and top properly prior to the album release in genre she is in.

Below you will find a trend of different artist:

Examples: (US Sales)

Beyonce'

• Sold over 8 million (8x Platinum) with Destiny’s Child with The Writings On the Wall (1999)
• Sold over 4 million (4x Platinum) with Destiny’s Child Survivor (2001)
• Sold over 4 million (4x Platinum) with debut album Dangerously In Love (2003)
• Sold over 3 million (3x Platinum) with Destiny’s Child Destiny Fulfilled (2004)
• Sold over 3 million (3x Platinum) with BDAY (2006)
• Sold over 2 million (2x Platinum) with I AM…Sasha Fierce (2008)

Alicia Keys

• Sold over 6 million (6x Platinum) with Songs in A Minor (2001)
• Sold over 4 million (4x Platinum) with The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003)
• Sold over 3 million (3x Platinum) with As I Am (2007)
• Sold over 1 million (Platinum) with The Element of Freedom (2009)

Mariah Carey

·        Sold over 6 million (6x Platinum) with Emancipation Of Mimi (2005)

• Sold over 1 million (Platinum) with E=MC ² (2008)
• Sold over 500 k (Gold) with Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)Janet Jackson
• Sold over 3 million (3x Platinum) with The Velvet Rope (1997)
• Sold over 2 million (2x Platinum) with All for You (2001)
• Sold over 1 million (Platinum) with Damita Jo (2004)
• Sold over 1 million (Platinum) with 20 Y.O. (2006)
• Sold over 400 k with Discipline (2008)

Mary J. Blige

• Sold over 3 million (3x Platinum) with No More Drama (2001)
• Sold over 1 million (Platinum) with Love & Life (2003)
• Sold over 3 million (3x Platinum) with The Breakthrough (2005)
• Sold over 1 million (Platinum) with Growing Pains (2007)
• Sold over 500 k (Gold) with Stronger with Each Tear

Ciara

• Sold over 3 million (2x Platinum) with Goodies (2004)
• Sold over 1 million (2x Platinum) with Ciara: The Evolution (2006)
• Sold near 200 k  with Fantasy Ride (2009)
• Sold near 35 k with Basic Instinct (2010)

Usher

• Sold over 4 million (4x Platinum) with 8701 album (2001)

• Sold over 10 million (Diamond) with Confessions (2004)
• Sold over 1 million (Platinum) with Here I Stand (2008)
• Sold over 1 millions (Platinum) with Raymond VS Raymond

R. Kelly

• Sold over 8 million (8x Platinum) with R. (1998)
• Sold over 4 million (4x Platinum) with TP-2.com (2000)
• Sold over 3 million (3x Platinum) with Happy People/U Saved Me (2004)
• Sold over 1 milion (Platinum) with TP.3 Reloaded (2005)
• Sold over 1 million (Platinum) with Double Up (2007)
• Sold over 345 k with Untititled (2009)
• Sold over 154 k during 1^st week sales with Love Letter (2010)

Chris Brown

• Sold over 2 million (2x Platinum) with debut album Chris Brown (2005)
• Sold over 1 million (Platinum) with Exclusive (2007)
• Sold over 100 k in 1^st week with Graffiti (2009)

Trey Songz

• Sold over 396 k with Gotta Make It (2005)
• Sold over 346 k with Trey Day (2007)
• Sold over 802 k (Gold) with Ready (2009)
• Sold over 532 k (Gold) with Passion, Pain, Pleasure (2010)

See the trend?

Now: Gold and Platinum up to 2x Platinum+

Then: 3x Platinum and above+

Artist that are still doing well, I take my hat off to. Most if not all albums are available for free download now-a-days. Artist whose fans still go out or go online and BUY their album have a true fan base. Though album sales are still important, artist with a strong enough fan base to tour make money that way among other ways as well. Strong promo is a requirement now-a-days, not an option. Everything must be close to perfect in addition to the actual ALBUM. I am scratching my head at how some artist still are wasting time recording album fillers. Every song needs to be single worthy/quality if consumers are going out to buy what is available online for free. Last but not least. I won’t to acknowledge Monica Arnold for her major success and comeback. Her team did an excellent job and we need a strong R&B singer like herself in the game. Monica went gold with her recent release Still Standing. I even thought she had room for one or two more singles accompanied with promo and videos. It seems as though she went straight into the studio to capitalize on the success of Still Standing. Usually artist release albums every 2-3 years if they are not on break. Artist like Rihanna and Trey Songz are releasing albums every year to capitalize on selling sex and beauty. Monica, I believe is simply capitalizing on her success after not doing well with her last album and waiting 4 years between the most recent Still Standing (2010) and previous album release The Makings Of Me (2006).

I hope to use all that I see and have learned to be a successful singer as well.

Please support:

Youtube: http://youtube.com/babireloaded

Twitter: http://twitter.com/GMooreSonOfSoul