At this point in 4's lifecycle is it really right to compare sales to Loud? That's just stupid.
In terms of albums - I think it would be more accurate to compare sales up to and including third week (in US and WW), peak chart performances (in US and WW) and critical reception.
I'm not a Rihanna stan so can a Rihanna stan please post her stats under the worldwide category;
1ST-3RD WEEK SALES - US
BEYONCE
Beyoncé - 497,309
Rihanna - 425,000
1ST-3RD WEEK SALES - WORLDWIDE
Beyoncé - 908,000
Rihanna - ??
Metacritic
BEYONCE
Beyoncé - 73
Rihanna - 67
Peak Chart Performances
EVEN
Beyoncé - wins out in 12 countries vs 'Loud'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4_%28Be...owles_album%29
Rihanna - wins out in 12 countries vs '4'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loud_%28Rihanna_album%29
So on a comparative basis, Beyoncé currently edges Rihanna out as the better performer in regards to albums
However when it comes to singles, it's pretty freaking obvious that Rihanna is slaying Beyoncé. By this stage of 4's life, Loud had already had 2 No.1 singles in the US with Only Girl doing particularly well worldwide. Run The World flopped in the US and didn't do much better in most countries. Best Thing I Never had is struggling and whilst being a smash in some countries like the UK it isn't exactly outselling What's My Name. So Rihanna wins out in the singles category.
I'd say it is pretty even but you probably have to give the edge to Rihanna considering the closeness of their album sales etc and how she is slaying Bey in singles sales
