Friday 30 December 2011

Adele's Record Breaking Year

The music industry has been stuck in a rut for nearly a decade. But every once in a while, it still manages to produce one of those unstoppable hit albums that give everyone that good old feeling.



This year's model is Adele's 21, which not only sold more copies than any other album in the U.S. in 2011 (more than 5.6 million to date), but which has also moved the most units of any artist since 2004. According to a Reuters report, those gaudy figures (which top 15 million worldwide) make the British songbird the first artist to cross the 5 million mark in one year since Usher did it with his fourth studio album, Confessions, which sold 7.9 million units more than seven years ago.
And to think she did it by releasing just two mega singles, "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You," and barely touring North America due to recurring vocal issues.

There have been other big hits along the way to Adele's mark, including Eminem selling more than 3.4 million copies of his comeback Recovery album last year and Taylor Swift taking the honors in 2009 with Fearless, which sold 3.2 million copies. But none have come as close to Usher's mark in the interim.
There doesn't seem to be any chance Adele will be surpassed by the end of the year: The closest contenders are Lady Gaga's Born This Way (2.08 million) and Michael Bublé's Christmas (2.4 million). The other good news is that overall music sales are expected to be up slightly (3 percent) by the end of this year, marking the first time that's happened since 2004.


50 Cent reveals New Year's resolution

50 Cent has resolved to be a 'better judge of character' in 2012.
The rapper is one of a number of stars to discuss their goals for next year. Although many people pledge to be healthier or take up a hobby when the New Year rolls around, 50 is more philosophical on the topic.
'Ah man, so many. So many new things to work on myself. I just got to be conscious, more conscious of myself,' he told MTV News. 'And try and be a better judge of character with others."
Fellow rapper Common has also thought about positive changes he would like to make. The star found it hard to narrow things down, so has opted to improve every area of his life.
'I haven't thought deeply on it, but I would say I just want to be great at everything I do,' he mused. 'Greatness.'
Gym Class Heroes star Travie McCoy has a more hands-on vow. He is keen to ditch something he is tired of.
'My New Year's resolution is to quit smoking ... it's a very dirty, filthy habit,' he fumed. 'But not [only] is it my New Year's resolution to quit, but it's also my New Year's resolution to get my friends to quit as well.'
Amy Lee of rock band Evanescence wants to make 2012 all about the group's fans. She has promised to do everything she can to meet people all over the world.

Mariah Carey's baby name disappoints

Mariah Carey chose one of the worst celebrity baby names for her son this year, according to a new poll.
The award-winning singer gave birth to twins in April and her decision to call her son Moroccan was not a hit, according to a BabyNames.com poll.
The name failed to impress and was deemed one of the worst monikers by voters.
Alicia Silverstone didn't fare much better - her son's name also features on the list. Alicia was thrilled after giving birth in May, but surprised many people by revealing she was calling her baby Bear Blu Jarecki.
Other famous faces to disappoint with their choices include Bryan Adams who called his daughter Mirabella Bunny. Kevin James' son Kannon is also on the list.
Although voters didn't approve of Mariah's son's name, her daughter's moniker proved a big hit. Monroe has appeared on the list of best names for baby girls.
Joining her was Penelope Athena ' Tina Fey's daughter. Pink's daughter Willow Sage also features as does Ne-Yo's son Mason Evan Smith.

Has Beyonce Given Birth???

Beyonce Knowles has reportedly given birth to a baby girl called Tiana-May Carter.
Rumours about the new arrival have been circulating on Twitter this morning.
Despite the speculation surrounding the birth of the star's first child, many believe it to be a hoax.
There has been no official confirmation from Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z.
The rumour follows news that Beyonce checked into a private hospital in New York City yesterday.
Staff at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital were apparently put on alert ahead of the arrival of a 'celebrity VIP', but it wasn't confirmed that the person in question was Beyonce.
It was also reported that Beyonce's mother Tina and sister Solange are currently in New York for the impending new arrival.
The stunning songstress is thought to be expecting a daughter after former Destiny's Child bandmate and close friend Kelly Rowland accidently let slip the baby's gender in a recent interview.
Beyonce announced her pregnancy at the MTV Video Music Awards in August.
It will be her and Jay-Z's first child together.