is that a valid argument though? Rihanna has like max three successful singles each album era.

Depends on the artist. Beyoncé can afford to release an album without a major single. She has like 25 hits already and her name is big enough for her to continue her career without a single top 10 hit. In fact, it's more important that she releases albums like BEYONCÉ. BEYONCÉ was an event and it's critically acclaimed, this means it'll be remembered for a long time.

But for someone who's been around for less than a decade, it's kinda important that they score a few hits, especially these days.

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This is kinda true

Of course there are albums that are remembered, but when people talk about the 80s, 90s, or 00s they bring up the most popular songs way more than the most popular albums.

Honestly, if a single doesn't make an impact, the album will be as forgotten as ever.. I mean, will the general public even give a rats ass about the 4 era? There was nothing significant or memorable from that era BECAUSE the singles didn't make a dent in history making. The reason that BEYONCE made an impact is because drunk in love was able to propel the attention of the general public, and because it was a surprise album.

In the end, people know an artist by their singles, and it is by singles that the GP will make an opinion about the artist.. It is why Ke$ha has been struggling to get acclaim, because nobody even gives her amazing albums a listen because of her non innovative single choices.

It's 2014, illegal downloading and free streaming is everywhere, including Youtube.

Would you rather people buy 12 of your songs all at once OR 1 song of yours?

Yes. In a perfect scenario artists would be able to sell both like Taylor. Alas the world is a cruel place.

I agree with this

i would hardly call Katy Perry a balance, she is more know for her singles than her albums. the only exception is Teenage Dream.

but you're right, though. to have some real recognition you have to have a good medium of hits and album sales.

considering Pitbull is more well known than Norah Jones...

perhaps you should come up with a better example.

Well you should be taking to just him specifically why does the Hive stay on you girls brains? The Kats have been awfully pressed lately by BEYONCÉ and her stan base. At first it was cute, now it's annoying. The Hive, collectively, hasn't said any of the such in this thread

What are you talking about?

I think so.

... what does this have to do with anything?

This is true, though

Every legend this generation has been built upon have been both album artists and singles artists, majority on the album side. Yes, this generation puts more emphasis on singles because their attention spans continue to deteriorate due to the constant usage and increase in technology, but albums are ultimately what makes an artist remembered. I'm speaking in general, terms, though.

The question pertains to 2014 and maybe, yes, singles are more important. But important for what? That is the true question. I know damn well it isn't important for album + singles artists like Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Adele and a few big name rap artists.

Also, what about the artists who have legitimately moved past albums AND singles? Madonna's last album went Gold and none of her singles, sans GAYL, went top ten (which quickly fell off) but she can sell out a tour in a matter of seconds, same goes to Prince, Tina Turner, U2, etc. IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE ARTIST.

I would support most pop artists transitioning to releasing EPs. They tend to be much more cohesive, stronger and filler-free albums. I feel that most of the big pop stars don't produce strong enough LPs and that's partially hurting their sales.

!!!

And PRISM is selling really well as well, i guess it will end up selling almost as much. But we´ll have to wait and see

If people actually enjoy your work, they will purchase your WHOLE album and not just your song, which is impressive considering people have easy access to whole bodies of music.

Note the ERUPTION of press over 21's sales but people giving ZERO ****s about I Gotta Feeling nearing NINE million in single sales. People will always choose album success.