Billboard
Adele’s “21” Hits 10 Million in U.S. Sales - Adele’s mega-selling “21” album continues to rewrite the record books. This week, the XL/Columbia release pushes past the 10 million U.S. sales mark in only its 92nd week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. In doing so, “21” becomes the 21st album to shift 10 million since the firm began tracking data in 1991. (Full story at Billboard.)
Today In Billboard History
May 21, 2011
A year ago today, Adele began the chart-topping reign that would net her the top song of the 2011 chart year, as “Rolling in the Deep” spent its first of seven weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
Just as Adele won a whole mess of Grammys, flipped the bird at the BRIT Awards and generally makes her triumphant return, she has her best sales week ever (730,000 copies). “21” is No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for a 21st nonconsecutive week, breaking the record for the longest-running No. 1 album (since Billboard began tracking using SoundScan in 1991).
Let’s put it this way: 2.34% of the U.S. population now owns “21.”
And a happy 1st birthday to you, “21.”
This about sums up last night, but for a full rundown of Adele’s glorious sweep, Billboard has you covered. She’s rolling in it, alright.
Last night sort of reminded me of that scene in “Mean Girls” where Damien’s dressed up as Santa, passing out the candy canes - the “you go, Glenn Coco!” scene. Adele’s Glenn Coco, and Gaga… well, she’s Gretchen Weiners. None for Gretchen Weiners, indeed.
Another week, another chart feat…
Yet again, Ms. Adkins rules the Hot 100 chart (this time with new single “Set Fire To The Rain”) and the Billboard 200 this week, making “21” the biggest album since 1993 (17 weeks at No. 1).
It’s Adele’s world, we’re just living in it.
As of today, Adele’s *officially* got the best-selling album and song of 2011 - AND she’s topping the Billboard 200 for her 14th week.
No surprise, Michael Buble’s holiday album was the best-selling set during Christmas week, but Adele didn’t exactly have a shabby holiday. “21” held at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 399,000 (up 44%) — its best sales week yet. The week’s biggest debut (No. 3) goes to Young Jeezy’s “TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition,” which boasted an impressive 233,000 sold during opening week. Check out all the chart moves.
From weirdo R&B to epic hardcore to a certain heartbroken British singer-songwriter, 2011 offered a diverse array of quality full-lengths that we kept replaying in our offices. The whole team weighed in and the votes have been tallied, so now we can proudly present the Billboard staff’s picks for the top 10 albums of 2011.
You can probably guess our No. 1 favorite of the year, which won by a landslide. A word on why: Adele’s “21” became one of those very rare moments in the music world where an album is as commercially successful as it is critically praised, not to mention beloved by fans across all demographics.
The evolution of a magazine cover: Watch our new Year in Music cover, featuring Adele, come together.
