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Yesterday we reported that the Empire Season One Soundtrack had topped Madonna's Rebel Heart on the Billboard 200, thanks to the number of additional downloads and streams that it got, allowing it to take advantage of Billboard's new metrics and top the iconic chart. However pure album sales tell a different story. While Empire edged Rebel Heart by around 9,000 copies on the 200, the opposite was true on the Albums Chart, where Rebel Heart placed no. 1 with 116,500 copies sold and Empire took no. 2 with 107,000 copies moved. -
'Empire' Edges Madonna for Billboard 200 Top Spot, but Did New Metrics Steal a Landmark Accomplishment from Pop Star?
This week's Billboard 200 was topped by the Empire Soundtrack: Season 1, but it touches off an interesting battle between it and Madonna's Rebel Heart, which finished no. 2. The current Billboard metrics place Empire at no. 1 with 130,000 "equivalent" albums sold—a count that includes total single downloads and album streams as well. Madge's album only sold 121,000 "equivalent" albums but unofficial tracking of pure album sales—or what the Billboard 200 used to be based on—suggest that Rebel Heart actually sold more albums than Empire did as a whole. -
Ed Sheeran Teases 'Bloodstream' Video with Rudimental & A Possible Depressing Future for YouTube Music Awards 2015
Ed Sheeran is just one of many artists set to be honored at the 2015 YouTube Music Awards, and he's celebrating by getting pumping up his fans' "Bloodstream." As his single "Thinking Out Loud" site comfortably at the top of the charts, today (March 18), Sheeran teased his next video for his Rudimental version of the x track "Bloodstream." -
Ed Sheeran & Ellie Goulding Defend Bullied New Zealand 'X Factor' Contestant on Twitter
After Joe Irvine, a contestant on New Zealand's 'X Factor,' was bullied onstage, Ed Sheeran and Ellie Goulding took to Twitter to show Irvine support. -
John Legend, Ed Sheeran & More Help Make 'The World's Happiest Playlist' for U.N.'s International Day of Happiness [LISTEN]
John Legend, Ed Sheeran, James Blunt, David Guetta and more musicians are helping the United Nations put together "the world's happiest playlist" to draw awareness to "International Day Of Happiness" this Friday. -
Spotify Suggests Austin Not as Weird as It Claims, Music Wise; Texas Capital Does Promote Local Music However
Austin, TX is one of the hottest cities in music thanks to hosting the South by Southwest and Austin City Limits music festivals, among hosting a lively live scene all year round. Spotify's Insights blog was interested in the city's unofficial slogan, "Keep Austin Weird," and whether that rang true. Does the capital of Texas divert much from the national norm in terms of the music it listens to? -
Kelly Clarkson Gets Cushion for 'Piece By Piece' on Albums Chart, Brandi Carlile Cracks Top 5 with 'Firewatcher's Daughter'
Kelly Clarkson found a bit more breathing room on the Official Albums Chart this week, as her new album 'Piece By Piece' gets a nicer cushion over the 'Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack' on the Billboard 200. Thanks to the removal of individual streams and downloads for Beyoncé and Ellie Goulding's singles from the latter, Clarkson won the pure albums race with 80,500 copies sold, compared to 57,000 copies of 'Fifty Shades.' -
Kelly Clarkson Barely Beats 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Soundtrack with 'Piece by Piece,' Tops Billboard 200
Kelly Clarkson was the big winner on the Billboard 200 this week with the debut of her album Piece by Piece, which sold 97,000 equivalent copies and held off the competition. The effort helped the pop star get even with Carrie Underwood for the title of most no. 1 albums by an American Idol alumni...the country star and Clarkson both have three to their names. This was an especially nice peak for the latter as it was her first no. 1 since 2009, with two other releases in between. -
Ed Sheeran Donated His Grammy Awards Wardrobe to Charity
"Thinking Out Loud" singer Ed Sheeran recently donated his Grammy Awards wardrobe to charity. Sheeran is not only booming in popularity musically -- many are impressed with his generous nature. -
Ed Sheeran Shares Fan Letter on Instagram with Self-Deprecating Humor: "You Are Little Ugly But I Love You"
Despite heating up the charts with his latest x single "Thinking Out Loud," Ed Sheeran star isn't necessarily the most conventionally attractive pop star out there. And even some of his biggest fans know it. Over the weekend, Sheeran shared a snapshot of a letter from one South Korean fan on Instagram, who took the time out to note that they love the 24-year-old Brit despite the fact that he's "a little ugly." -
Lindsey Stirling Wins at 2015 YouTube Music Awards: Other Winners Include Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga
This has been quite a year for violinist Lindsey Stirling. The dancing musician appeared in the Grammy Legacy concert and was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Now, Stirling has been announced as one of the 50 musicians who are winners at the 2015 YouTube Music Awards. Other artists include heavy-hitters such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. -
Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars Top Hot 100 for Ninth Week as Pitbull & Ne-Yo's 'Time of Our Lives' Rises to Top 10 Status [VIDEOS]
Can no one stop the funk? For the ninth week in a row, Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk" is giving it to you by topping the Billboard Hot 100. Despite the nine week reign of Ronson and Mars, Maroon 5's new single "Sugar" is coming for the top of the charts as Adam Levine sits on the new season of The Voice and Pitbull's new party-friendly anthem "Time of Our Lives" cracks into the top 10.
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