The numbers are in, and Beyoncé’s new self-titled album sold more in three days than what most of her contemporaries do in seven. According to Billboard, her fifth LP has moved 617,000 download through close of business Sunday.
Update: A press release notes the album has sold 828,773 copies worldwide.
Not only does that break the iTunes Store record for largest sales week of an album, but also marks the second-largest digital sales week ever. Only Lady Gaga’s Born This Way sold more digitally (662,000), though that number was enhanced thanks to an Amazon.com promotion selling the album for 99 cents.
Beyoncé is also set to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts, and is already the biggest debuting album by a female artist since Taylor Swift’s Red in 2012.
For our two-cents, read Chris Bosman’s review of the album. Also check out Michael Roffman’s editorial on the album release roll-out and why it may have revolutionized the industry as we know it.
