Also comparing 2001 to 2013 in terms of singles is plain dumb, in 2001 single sales were dying/almost dead and one had to rely on radio for a hit. Plenty of albums from huge artists had songs that charted quite low and still sold boatloads. I'm A Slave 4 U still went Top 10 in almost every country around the world.
In 2013 due to digital sales any truly relevant pop star should be able to chart decently enough the first few weeks due to digital sales alone.
Also comparing 2001 to 2013 in terms of singles is plain dumb, in 2001 single sales were dying/almost dead and one had to rely on radio for a hit. Plenty of albums from huge artists had songs that charted quite low and still sold boatloads. I'm A Slave 4 U still went Top 10 in almost every country around the world.
In 2013 due to digital sales any truly relevant pop star should be able to chart decently enough the first few weeks due to digital sales alone.
Yet you compared album sells from that period to Gags when you know album sells were twice/triple as good as now
That's the biggest confirmation you can get.