Billboard unveils new methodology today for the long-standing Hot Country Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Latin Songs charts. Each receive a major consumer-influenced face-lift, as digital download sales (tracked by Nielsen SoundScan) and streaming data (tracked by Nielsen BDS from such s... Read more...
Not unexpectedly, Adele's "21" album spends a 22nd week atop the Billboard 200, selling 297,000 (down 59%), according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's now the longest-running No. 1 since Prince & the Revolution's "Purple Rain" soundtrack scored 24 weeks at No. 1 in 1984 and 1985. This is also the... Read more...
Via: Artists are constantly being told to tweet. And tweet. And tweet… just to stay connected with their fans and stay relevant. But is that the best advice, especially when it comes to selling stuff (like albums)? The answer is not for every artist, especially for those courting a less m... Read more...
Via: If you love "baby, I love you" lyrics, don't worry: they're not going anywhere. But lyrics are no longer an essential part of music for a growing number of artists and fans, and neither are radio-friendly chord changes, predictable song structures, or four-minute lengths. So... Read more...
Looks like the projections were right, but how long can this surge last? Here's a look at first-half vinyl sales in the US, according to data shared with Digital Music News by Nielsen Soundscan. Units remain relatively low, which naturally hikes percentage changes. Then again, this is the only ... Read more...
One thing's clear: Nielsen Soundscan doesn't count every last album sale. That would be impossible. But are they somehow missing this vast number of unsigned and indie albums (and singles), and grossly skewing our picture of who's really winning? That's been a longtime argument from two of the... Read more...