Quote of the Day: Britney Spears on Digital Music

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Artist News, Pop, Amazon MP3 Store, iTunes, Sales,

"We're too smart for our own good. We're at the point where the simplicity of buying a CD and the specialness has gone. I think it's a shame. The whole process of buying a record was so special."

- Britney Spears reflects on the demise of records and CDs.

(Make sure to check out our other notable quotes.)

Read More | USA Today

Gallery: Quote of the Day: Britney Spears on Digital Music

Beyonce’s Album Smashes iTunes Record

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Industry News, Music Videos, The Charts, Pop, R&B / Soul, iTunes, New Releases,

Beyonce's surprise fifth album has become the fastest-selling record in iTunes history.

The self-titled record, which was released without any warning last week, shifting 828,773 copies in just three days. The majority of those sales came from America, where it has racked up 617,213 sales since Friday.

Beyonce's own first-week sales record was also broken, after her 2006 second record B'day sold 541,000 copies in seven days.

The "Love On Top" hitmaker stealth-released the record exclusively on iTunes, shocking fans by unveiling 14 new songs and 17 videos without any promotion.

The 31-year-old said she was inspired by Michael Jackson's Thriller video premiere in 1983, which is why she made such a "visual" record: "I miss that immersive experience. Now people only listen to a few seconds of a song on their iPods and they don't really invest in the whole experience. It's all about the single, and the hype. I felt like, I don't want anybody to get the message when my record is coming out. I just want this to come out when it's ready and from me to my fans."

Click to continue reading Beyonce’s Album Smashes iTunes Record

Gallery: Beyonce’s Album Smashes iTunes Record

Rihanna Sets New Chart Record

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Concerts / Tours, The Charts, Pop, R&B / Soul, New Releases,

Rihanna has set a new chart record in the US. The singer's latest single "Stay" - featuring Mikky Ekko - has become her tenth number one on Billboard Mainstream Top 40 Radio Airplay Chart.

By having ten number one's Rihanna topples Katy Perry's record run of nine number one tracks on the same chart. The "Umbrella" singer also holds further records in the same chart, including most entries on the chart for an artist, with 35 songs.

While Rihanna's chart performances are holding up, she is having a hard time of her current Diamonds World Tour, and has had to cancel four shows in the US leg due to a recurring bout of laryngitis. After cancelling two shows in Texas earlier this month, she apologized to fans, writing on Instagram, "I kept working because I thought two days off after the Vegas show would be enough time to recover and I f****ed up, those were two days off from hell and today is not different! I'm sad and disappointed about it!"

Tonight Rihanna will perform in Baltimore, Maryland, the first of the previously cancelled shows she has rescheduled.

Gallery: Rihanna Sets New Chart Record

Psy’s “Gangnam Style” Becomes Most-Watched Video on YouTube

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Artist News, Music Videos, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, New Releases,

Move over, Justin Bieber - there's a new internet sensation in town.

Korean singer/rapper Psy's popular music video for his song "Gangnam Style" just reached close to 818 million views, surpassing Bieber's for his song "Baby," which previously held the title for the most watched YouTube video (his count is currently around 804 million). The "Gangnam Style" music video (shown above) sees Psy singing his song in a combination of typical music video locations (near the pool, around some dancing, scantily-clad women) to some funny situations (a closing elevator, a bathroom stall).

Since Psy's video became an internet hit, he has performed on Saturday Night Live and with Madonna and MC Hammer.

Read More | E! News

Gallery: Psy’s “Gangnam Style” Becomes Most-Watched Video on YouTube

Adele Outsells Michael Jackson

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Industry News, Pop, R&B / Soul, Sales,

Adele's 21 has now outsold Michael Jackson's Thriller in the UK.

The "Rolling In The Deep" hitmaker's second album - which was released in January 2011 - has sold 4,274,300 copies in Britain, more than 500 more than the late singer's 1982 classic record, meaning it is now the fifth best-selling album of all time in the UK. "To add to her many landmark records, Adele's achievement in overtaking Thriller in the all-time sales list is truly remarkable. Thriller has long been recognized as one of the most iconic albums of all time - there is now no doubt that 21 can be spoken of in the same breath," said Official Charts Company's managing director Martin Talbot.

Click to continue reading Adele Outsells Michael Jackson

Gallery: Adele Outsells Michael Jackson

Usher Wants Adele Duet

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Collaborations, Upcoming Releases, Pop, R&B / Soul,

Usher believes the world "deserves" a duet between him and Adele.

The "Yeah" singer thinks he should collaborate with "Rolling in the Deep" hitmaker Adele, after she has had such a great year since releasing her second album 21: "I think the world deserves an Usher and Adele record. That's what I think."

Usher also joked that he didn't want people in the US to keep buying 21, so it doesn't beat his record of 7.9 million sales of an album in one year, set with Confessions in 2004:

Click to continue reading Usher Wants Adele Duet

Gallery: Usher Wants Adele Duet

Katy Perry Thanks Fans For Chart Record

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, The Charts, Pop,

Katy Perry says she "owes" fans after equaling a US chart record.

The 26-year-old singer thanks fans after her latest song "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" topped the Billboard Hot 100, making it the fifth track from her Teenage Dream one album to top the charts - a record initially set by Michael Jackson with the singles from his 1987 album Bad.

Upon hearing the news, Katy Tweeted, "What a way to wake up! SO proud to announce that the little-engine-that-could of a song 'LAST FRIDAY NIGHT' is officially #1 & made HISTORY! & u know, I couldn't have done it with out ya, really I owe u guys BIG... so take this moment to give yourself a high FIVE!!! #allbecauseofu (sic)"

Click to continue reading Katy Perry Thanks Fans For Chart Record

Gallery: Katy Perry Thanks Fans For Chart Record