Turns out in addition to 2011, Adele ruled 2012, too — and set a record while she was at it.
The British singer’s “21” was the highest-selling album in the U.S. for the second consecutive year, according to 2012 sales figures released by Nielsen SoundScan on Thursday. That’s a first in the SoundScan era, The Associated Press reports.
Adele sold 4.4 million copies of the album in 2012 after selling 5.8 million in 2011. She crossed the 10 million threshold in November and was only rivaled by Taylor Swift, whose “Red” was second on the list. If her album sales continue apace in 2013, “21” will move into the top 10 list for sales since 1993, when SoundScan began current tracking methods.
Gotye scored the year’s top-selling song with “Somebody That I Used To Know” featuring Kimbra. The song was downloaded a record 6.8 million times. Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” was next at 6.5 million. Both songs are the first to cross the 6 million digital sales mark, while fun. came close with 5.9 million downloads of “We Are Young” featuring Janelle Monae.
Forty-one songs crossed the 2 million download mark, helping drive digital and overall sales to a new high even as album sales began to drop again after a momentary gain.
A record 1.65 billion music units — combining physical albums, digital albums and digital songs — were sold in 2012, fueled by an increase of 9.1 percent in total digital sales and a 14.1 percent increase in digital album sales.
Overall, however, album sales declined 4.4 percent. That continues a downward trend since 2004 that was only briefly halted by last year’s 3 percent gain — mostly due to the surprise success of “21.”
Miss Swift led a record five country artists into the top 10, selling 3.1 million copies of “Red” in just over two months. Other country artists on the list included Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” at No. 7 (1.2 million) followed by Luke Bryan’s “tailgates & tanlines” (1.1 million), Lionel Richie’s duets album “Tuskegee” (1 million) and Jason Aldean’s “Night Train” (1 million).
One Direction nearly matched Miss Swift’s sales total, but did it by placing two 2012 releases in the top 10 — “Up All Night” placed No. 3 with 1.6 million sold and “Take Me Home” was fifth with 1.3 million.
Mumford & Son’s “Babel” at No. 6 (1.4 million) and Justin Bieber’s “Believe” at No. 6 (1.3 million) round out the top 10. Only 10 albums reached 1 million in sales.
’Star Wars’ creator Lucas announces engagement
“Star Wars” creator George Lucas is engaged.
A spokeswoman for Lucasfilm Ltd. says the 68-year-old director is engaged to 43-year-old investment firm president Mellody Hobson, The Associated Press reports. No other details were provided.
Ms. Hobson serves as chairman of DreamWorks Animation and is a financial contributor to ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Mr. Lucas helped to launch the modern blockbuster age with his “Star Wars” sagas and “Indiana Jones” adventures. The original “Star Wars” still stands as the No. 2 film in terms of tickets sold domestically, behind only “Gone with the Wind.”
Mr. Lucas has three children: Amanda, Katie and Jett. He was previously married to film editor Marcia Lucas from 1969 to 1983.
Disney completed its acquisition of Lucasfilm and the “Star Wars” franchise from Lucas for $4.06 billion in cash and stock last month.
Boyz II Men to begin new show in Vegas
The R&B group Boyz II Men is headed to Las Vegas.
The 1990s slow-jammers announced a headlining residency Thursday. They will perform weekend shows at the Terry Fator Theatre at the Mirage starting March 1.
Organizers say the show will feature the band’s biggest hits, including the 1991 smash “Motownphilly,” as well as some surprises, The Associated Press reports.
Boyz II Men has won four Grammys and claims the title of most successful male R&B group in history.
The trio is best known for its ballads and a cappella stylings, and for the slow jams “I’ll Make Love To You” and “One Sweet Day.”
They will perform 78 weekend shows through the end of the year. Tickets are on sale now starting at $40.
Frank Ocean facing marijuana charge
Grammy-nominated R&B singer Frank Ocean is facing a marijuana possession charge after police say he was pulled over on New Year’s Eve in California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada for driving more than 90 mph in a 65 mph zone.
The Mono County Sheriff’s Department said officers stopped Mr. Ocean’s black BMW at about 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31 as he was heading southbound on U.S. 395, according to The Associated Press.
Sheriff’s spokeswoman Jennifer Hansen said a strong odor of marijuana wafted out as a deputy approached the vehicle.
Ms. Hansen said the deputy found a small bag of marijuana on the 25-year-old Mr. Ocean, whose legal name is Christopher Breaux.
She said the Beverly Hills resident was cited for marijuana possession and released.
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