How do the expected Q4 releases from Columbia’s Beyoncé (whose previous album bowed with 618k on 12/15/13), Roc Nation’s Rihanna (238k, 11/25/12), Def Jam’s Kanye West (327k, 6/23/13) and Parlophone’s Coldplay (383k, 5/25/14), all with release dates TBD, fit into the picture? Beyoncé will debut at #1 no matter when her album drops, apart from 11/20; otherwise, Adele is a heavy favorite to hold the top spot through the rest of the year. There appear to be two or three windows—Dec. 4, 11 and possibly the 18th—and the prognosticators believe a first week of 300k could knock Adele off the top perch.
There appear to be two or three windows—Dec. 4, 11 and possibly the 18th—and the prognosticators believe a first week of 300k could knock Adele off the top perch.
Considering their respective sales histories, Beyoncé has shown she can hit or surpass the magic number, while Rihanna’s previous five releases have averaged under 200k.
Quote:
And although Kanye is not hot record-wise, he should still outsell Rihanna, whose forthcoming album has no vibe yet.
Rights holders, meanwhile, shudder to think of how Tidal’s involvement could have a dramatic negative impact on the worldwide sales of any of those four releases. Tidal has still not paid licensing fees to the major rights holders, but because of Jay Z’s personal relationships he’s drawn a pass for now.
Rights holders, meanwhile, shudder to think of how Tidal’s involvement could have a dramatic negative impact on the worldwide sales of any of those four releases.