HIP-HOP STARS LIFT YTD ALBUM SALES

Believe it or not, digital albums are UP 685k year-over-year two weeks from the end of Q1, thanks in no small measure to Drake’s surprise digital-only release. Album sales may see a slight lift next week, as the early release of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly is expected to sell more than the entire Top 5 from the corresponding week last year. 

The stats on the week ending March 15: Overall album sales were down 3% vs. last week, down 2% vs. same week last year but down just 1% year to date. Digital Album sales were down 6% vs. last week, up 2% vs. same week last year and up 3% year to date. Track sales were down 5% vs. last week, down 10% vs. same week last year and down 11% year to date. Largely because of the slippage in track sales, the industry (as measured by TEA) is down 3% vs. last week, down 4% vs. same week last year and down 5% year to date.

Come on, premium streaming.