UMG MARKETSHARE GOES
THROUGH THE ROOF

Spectators at the time may have questioned the merger with PolyGram a couple of years ago, but Universal Music Group has surpassed its own history-making record this week by achieving the largest single-week marketshare of current albums ever, almost 40%, for the week-ending Nov.5.

Integral in UMG's remarkable marketshare take were four albums in the HITS Top 5, which include Jay-Z's "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000," on Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam; U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind," on Interscope; Limp Bizkit's "Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water," on Flip/Interscope; and Godsmack's "Awake," on Republic/Universal.

Even though UMG had a total of 15 albums in the Top 31 this week, insiders were not surprised as UMG's key label chiefs, which include UMG CEO Doug Morris, Interscope-Geffen-A&M honcho Jimmy Iovine, Island Def Jam's Jim Caparro and Lyor Cohen, Motown Universal's Monte and Avery Lipman and MCA's Jay Boberg, are widely considered to be performing at the top of their games simultaneously.

Additional titles in the Top 31 include Nelly's "Country Grammar" (Universal); Ja Rule's "Rule 3:36" (Def Jam); Ludacris' "Back for the First Time" (Def Jam); 3 Doors Down's "The Better Life" (Republic/Universal); Eminem's "The Marshall Mathers LP" (Aftermath/Interscope); 98 Degrees' "Revelation" (Universal); Insane Clown Posse's "Bizaar" and "Bizzar" (Island); Papa Roach's "Infest" (DreamWorks); Shaggy's "Hot Shot" (MCA) and "NOW That's What I Call Music, Vol. 4" (Universal Music Enterprises).

"I am continually amazed by the talent and ability of our record executives to keep breaking and developing artists," UMG Chairman/CEO Morris. "The success of our group is a testament to the unparalleled achievement of the Universal family."

Universal Music and Video Distribution President Jim Urie added: "Our marketshare this week is evidence of our continued commitment to artistry and artist development. The diverse talents of our artists and the creativity of our labels continues to be an unbeatable combination."