Headlines

April 24, 2008

Mariah Carey's E=MC2 463K debut her best first week ever...

The Daily Swarm | Read Full Story >

Billboard:

Mariah Carey earns her sixth No. 1 on The Billboard 200 as her “E=MC2” bows on top. The Island Def Jam set moved 463,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, making it the diva’s biggest debut sales week ever. It’s also the highest sales week of the year, surpassing the 375,000 start of Jack Johnson’s “Sleep Through the Static” in February.

Carey’s last album, “The Emancipation of Mimi,” also landed at No. 1 in its premiere week, moving 404,000. She is now tied with Madonna and Janet Jackson for the second most No. 1 albums among female artists. Only queen bee Barbra Streisand, with eight, is ahead of the pack. There’s a good chance Madonna will add another No. 1 to her tally though, as her “Hard Candy” album drops next Tuesday (April 29).

Silicon Alley Insider: Why Is Mariah Carey Popular And Why Do We Care?

That’s still not much compared to what a big album used to sell in the music industry’s good old days: Back at the industry’s peak, acts like the Backstreet Boys could move more than a million discs in their first week out. So why do we care? Because Mariah’s numbers are 15% higher than the debut of her last album, “The Emancipation of Mimi,” way back in 2005.

Wait a minute: Isn’t the music business in an inexorable decline, with more buyers abandoning the business every year? Yes, it is. But that doesn’t mean that all acts are getting hammered. Mariah’s not the only one weathering the storm.

Lefsetz: Mariah Madness:

And we’ve got a mainstream media lapping this shit up. Hyping Mariah like someone cares. Well, SOMEONE does, but not many. She’s a sideshow for those lost in the twentieth century.

Not only are many not paying attention to music, a great percentage of those who do ARE NOT LISTENING TO TOP FORTY RADIO!

That’s the only place Mariah counts. It’s like she’s the star shotmaker on an NHL team. Interesting if you’re into hockey, but most people DON‘T GIVE A SHIT! Saying 500,000 people bought her record the first week out is like saying 1 in 600 people voted in an election… HUH? That’s how few care about Mariah. In a country of 300 million, she doesn’t mean DIDDLY SQUAT!


Post a comment

Previous comments include

#1 Colleen says:

Lefsetz is always full of negativity and crap. Has he ever made a record? He goes by personal taste and surveys like five people in his mind are trendsetters declaring Madonna's number one digital single crap-- what a turd. I've totally unsubscribed from his newsletter because I'm tired of him ringing the death knoll on the industry that pays him- MUSIC!

#2 Ignorance is Bli$$ says:

The reason for high numbers is simple.
Your average Mariah fan isn't brainy enough to work a P2P app.

#3 wes says:

sure lefsetz and he's not always correct, in my humble opinion, but you know what, he's totally right in this case. no one cares about mariah carey. she will have no legacy aside from some presence in guilty pleasure compilations and karaoke bars in 8-10 years. no one will remember her like actual great artists are remembered. it's all hype

#4 thelink says:

lets get her to headline coachella!

#5 Capt. Obvious says:

nice boobies

#6 JMG says:

In other news, there is clearly no God.

#7 Renee says:

Actually, she does leave a legacy and her music does matter. "Anytime You Need a Friend", "Make it Happen", "Mariah's Theme" (Can't Take That Away) "Fly Like A Bird", "One Sweet Day", "I Wish You Well", her cover of "I'll Be There" and "Bye Bye" are just some of the songs that have meant a lot to a lot of people. She has a gift to touch peoples hearts with these types of songs. Songs of hers that I don't like, I don't play. But many are classics and will continue to stand the test of time, as she has.

#8 2RealEstateMidgets says:

Pariah. Pariah Carey. That's all there is to say.

#9 work for a PR agency much? says:

"She has a gift to touch peoples hearts with these types of songs."

uuuggghhh blaeeeach, i just threw up into my handbag.

#10 Glenn says:

She is one of the greatest singers we have to listen to today. The real reason people buy less music today is not because of the P2P tools out there; it's because there are so few excellent songs and singers. Mariah is still one of the best out there and good for her. Go girl.

#11 work for a PR agency much? says:

"She is one of the greatest singers we have to listen to today. "

double blaeeeach.

#12 626prince says:

acutalli people Mariah has inspired many people to over come difficult times in theyre lives .. her singles make people feel as if the can relate to her! she puts so much emphasis and feelings into her music. Its amusing how some sour puss people such as him would try 2 bring her down, if she didnt matter to people as he claims then why would she be selling so many albums and people love her to death. She continues to grow as an artist and as a role model for people ..despite the sometimes over exposed cover arts and what not but she is a human being and if she is succeeding in being successful nobody has the right to try 2 put her down , i myself have purchased 10 copies of the E=MC2 album and have dstributed them to family. Go Mariah ... I Love You! !!

#13 Garth says:

U guys r so jealous of mariah. She's da ultimate queen in da music industry. She's makin history and nobody can stop her. Nt even 'old madonna'- who cum 4m way bck wen! Stop hatin mc, she rocks. E=mc2 will b da biggest album of 2008...'nw who wana t0uch ma body'?

#14 JuJu says:

But Garth, Mariah only sells in US. If U combine sales from all around the world, Pariah Carey is still low. Sadly in many countries, their chart based on sales. In Europe Madonna is the ONE! Madonna Confessions Tour gross more income than all Mariah albums sold. So thats it! Hey I dont need more no. 1s. Cause we all know the most no 1s are George Strait and Beatles. And for her, dream on....continue dreaming. The bye bye single is the single that will buried Mariah once for all- BYE BYE

#15 Garth says:

Juju! no matter wot u say abt mariah, she wil always b one step ahead of madonna! Do i hv 2 remind u of mariah's success wit her 2005 mega-selling album 'mimi'? I dnt tink so? U probably read abt it all ova da news n in magazines. N nw she's bck wit an even better album. I guarantee u tat e=mc2 will b the greatest album of this year! Who gv us the most talk abt single? Mariah ofcoz! Madonna cnt even dance in tat 4 minutes video. I mean, wot was tat? N bye bye wil b mc's nxt big single. 4 minutes sucks

#16 DJ says:

LOL whats with all the hatred.. esp from u ....work for a PR agency much?
Are u encouraging ppl to use P2P rather than buying the dam album
i brought it are u calling me an idiot
I buy what i like and this is my latest craze
I like Mariah Carey
I only started liking her recently'
I also have her last album
and im sure there are tons of ppl who will remember this hit maker
i mean come on 18 number ones!! thats a record stats dont lie

#17 Dj says:

btw madonna may be a legend and all
but she really needs to act her age
her dancing in 4 minutes is im srry very revolting
i like the song but not enough to buy the whole dam album
P2P for me in this case! XD

#18 NADO says:

LETS PUT IT LIKE THIS. MARIAH NO.1 THE OTHER ARTIST FALL FAR BEHIND

#19 Adriano says:

You can write and say what ever you want.Mariah and Madonna will stay legends.Nobody is bying records because they can download it from net.I mean,I am Mariah's big fan.I have couple of her albums,and I will by the new one to.

All I can say is:Mariah I love you!

#20 BrEe says:

OmG.....i love bye bye i had to do a report on u nd ur song i love this song ur fav. fan BrEe

#21 Tyrone says:

Ur going on bout Mariah! so wat if she's da biggest selling female! does her concert tickets sells as much as her albums? NO! I have to give Madonna credit her new song rocks. But no one can beat da Queen of R&B Miss Beyonce Knowles. SHE'S 'THE LEGEND'good luck magde n mc i wouldn't go n buy ur albums... jst keep entertaining

#22 Tyrone says:

Ur going on bout Mariah! so wat if she's da biggest selling female! does her concert tickets sells as much as her albums? NO! I have to give Madonna credit her new song rocks. But no one can beat da Queen of R&B Miss Beyonce Knowles. SHE'S 'THE LEGEND'good luck madge n mc i wouldn't go n buy ur albums... jst keep entertaining

#23 Miss Music says:

One kiss to the biggest female artist of all time!MARIAH,I love you!Thank you for singing amazing songs,only God can give that talent you have.18 numb ones!160 million records sold!Rest my case.

#24 Miss Music says:

Thank you Mariah for all amazing songs,only God can give to someone beautiful voice you have.160 MILLION RECORDS SOLD,18 NUMB ONES!REST MY CASE!My love to you ,girl!

#25 Mr UK says:

Mariah is way past her sell by date. the same old shrieking vocals making most of her words inaudible. Madonna is by the far the superior female artist. Wake up Americans, us folks in Europe are bored with Carey's bland, self obsessed lyrics. At 39, she needs to realise that it looks daft to keep flaunting your ageing body in tight tops and shorts.


Click Here