Adele Outsold Taylor Swift By More Than a Million Records in 2012
(Getty Images)Adele's 21 edged out Taylor Swift's Red for the title of top-selling album of 2012. Well, edged out might be misleading. Adele pretty much blew everyone else out of the water for the second year in a row. More on that below along with Kendrick Lamar's new video, details on Britney Spears' next album, and a preview of Jack White's episode of Austin City Limits.
Everyone Bought 21 Twice, ApparentlyAdele's 21 is offcially the top-selling album of 2012, making it the first record to top annual sales two years in a row since Michael Jackson's Thriller accomplished the feat in 1983 and '84. According to Nielsen SoundScan the album, which was released in Janurary 2011, sold 4.41 million copies in 2012 to follow the 5.82 million copies it sold in 2011. The album outshined Taylor Swift's Red, which managed to rack up an impressive 3.11 million copies sold despite a late October release date. (See the full top 10 below.)Gotye topped the list of the year's top-selling digital singles with 6.8 million copies of "Somebody That I Used to Know" sold, and Carly Rae Jepsen followed him by moving 6.47 million copies of "Call Me Maybe."
Top-Selling Albums of 20121. Adele, 21: 4.41 million2. Taylor Swift, Red: 3.11 million3. One Direction, Up All Night: 1.62 million4. Mumford & Sons, Babel: 1.46 million5. One Direction, ! Take Me Home: 1.34 million6. Justin Bieber, Believe: 1.3 million7. Carrie Underwood, Blown Away: 1.2 million8. Luke Bryan, Tailgates & Tanlines: 1.1 million9. Lionel Richie, Tuskegee: 1.07 million10. Jason Aldean, Night Train: 1.02 million
Britney and will.i.am Are Teaming Up AgainApparently "Scream & Shout" was just a preview of things to come because Britney Spears' rep says she's working with will.i.am on her new album, which Britney revealed is in the works during a Twitter Q&A earlier this week. Details are still scarce, but the rep told Entertainment Weekly Brit's hitting the studio "with some inspiring new producers."Besides will.i.am, Britney will be working with Hit-Boy, who collaborated with Kanye West and Jay-Z on "N----s in Paris," and Kendrick Lamar on "Backseat Freestyle." Not date has been set for Britney's next album, but somehow it won't surprise us if the album drop coincides with a big performance on X Factor later this year.
Kendrick Lamar Has a Video for "Backseat Freestyle"Speaking of Kendrick Lamar, his video for "Backseat Freestyle" hit the web today, and it is notable for at least two reasons. First, Kendrick actually raps in front of the Eiffel Tower. Anyone familiar with the song will understand the, uh, significance. The second reason's name is Sherane, whose booty starts shaking at the 2:31 mark an! d doesn't! stop until 2:56. She's also the main reason you should refrain from playing this video at work.
Ne-Yo Was a Sia Fan Before Sia Was CoolAustralian songstress Sia has quietly built a famous fan following over the years that led to a big 2012. She earned co-writing credits with Rihanna ("Diamonds"), David Guetta ("Titanium"), and Ne-Yo ("Let Me Love You"). But now that she's found herself enjoying a surge in popularity, Ne-Yo says everyone else is late to the game."You know what? Well, for me personally I've been a fan of Sia for a long time," he told MTV. "From Zero 7 to Some People Have Real Problems, these are her albums and people that she worked with before she got popular, so to speak."
That led him to partner up with the Aussie to write together, something he rarely does. "'Let Me Love You' is a song that means a lot to me. That's one of the very few co-writes I've ever done," he explained. "It was an opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone for a minute and just really try something new in regards to working other writers. Shout out to Sia who also had an incredible 2012."
Psy Is Going Solo for His Next SingleWill Psy ever be more than the "Gangnam Style" guy? He's got his work cut out for him, but he's back in the studio trying to make it happen, and the word is he's turning down some high-profile guest-star opportunities to make sure people know he can do it on his own."I don't think I'll be doing any collaborations until my new track is done, and it's not done yet, but I'm thinking of do! ing it by! myself, so I can prove I can do it one more time," Psy told MTV. "And I'm working hard on it, because I've got to be good with the track and the video, and I've got to be able to perform it on the stage."
As for inspiration, Psy said, "I really like [Rihanna's] 'We Found Love,' and these days I've been listening to 'Scream & Shout' by will.i.am and Britney Spears," he said. "And, of course, all year, I have liked what Usher has done, too."
Remember J.Lo's Grammy Gown?Ready to feel old? It's been 13 years since Jennifer Lopez scandalized the Grammys' red carpet with her plunging green Versace dress. And the stylish singer says the iconic gown is still knocking around in her house."The other day, my housekeeper put it on a mannequin in my spa, where I get my hair and makeup done," she toldHarper's Bazaar. She sent me a picture. She was like, 'You like this dress?' Um, yeah, but I don't know if I like it out in the house!"
Watch This Preview for Jack White's Austin City Limits EpisodeBeloved and eccentric (or belovedly eccentric?) rockstar Jack White appears on Austin City Limits on PBS on Saturday. Here's the teaser.Related Articles: