Ok, PurpleKnight, so if 3121 debuts at #1 on Billboard's Hot 200 chart will you be wrong?

MarcelJ said:

Wrong and very happy for His Royal Badness.

You're talking about 3121 the song, aren't you? As in, assuming he'll release it as a single? 'Cause I'm discussing his singles.
[Edited 2/22/06 22:43pm]

First, an apology to PurpleKnight on my last post; I was thinking Thumparello's post was also yours. Sorry.

Anyway, back on topic, "Black Sweat" stands a chance to make a nice debut next week. Willie Nelson's "Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly (Fond Of Each Other)" debuted on the Hot 100 chart this week at number 52. It was a top 20 seller on iTunes for a few days (although it's fallen quickly) and that's what fuels the high debut. It certainly isn't getting airplay, and will likely make a huge plunge next week, but top 20 on iTunes was still good enough to get it to number 52. "Black Sweat" will almost certainly enter the Hot 100 next week, unless there's some reason the "album" sales on iTunes don't count towards the Hot 100.

"S.S.T." reached as high as #15 in iTunes, and got to #111 on Billboard because of it. Digital sales are stronger now than they were even just a few months ago when "S.S.T." debuted, as evidenced by Willie Nelson's showing. Plus even "Black Sweat"'s minimal airplay is more than "S.S.T." got. If the combined album and single sales in iTunes count towards the Hot 100 (which they should), Prince actually stands a very good chance next week of having his first top 40 hit in several years. It may not last long (although sales seem to be growing steadily) but it's looking more and more likely.

PurpleKnight said:

No, I'm talking about 3121 the album. A #1 album would be considered a hit. Especially as it would be his first one since the Batman soundtrack 17 years ago.

Ok PK, in your eyes Prince is washed up as far as hits go. I still think he's got something in the tank. In fact, the reason I believe he does, is that he seems to want a challenge. I think he avoided his own sound for all these years to try to reinvent himself and make things harder. Now that it appears he's too old to pull it off, it's tough and he's "willing to do the work". I'm enjoying the ride as much as ever. Fury and Black Sweat are awesome and I think he deserves the success he's had recently on MTV's top 10 and iTunes. I'll never count the man out, not again anyway..

PurpleKnight said:

Just fyi, I tend to like you a lot more when you state your opinions in this manner..

Holy Batman, I just saw Black Sweat on MTV Europe! That's probably the first time I've seen a Prince video on MTV Europe since they played Musicology a few times in 2004. VH1 Europe plays "the hits" quite often, especially in shows like "So 80s" or "Smells like the 90s"... I haven't seen Black Sweat on VH1 yet but thankfully they have it on their list of songs that you can request for a 1 hour personal video block... so I made a request

EDIT: They just played Black Sweat on Vh1 Europe!
[Edited 2/23/06 4:52am]

iTunes sales are strong, radio airplay is weak. The only format Black Sweat has any momentum at all on is Urban AC.

alandail said:

the support Prince has gotten from Urban mainstream radio the last few years has been dissapointing..a song like Black Sweat should have taken off in that format

agreed - universal needs to quickly find a way to leverage the iTunes sales into more airplay.

alandail said:

He just needs a remix...Get Nas or Jigga on that joint and let Pharrell re-work it...That's if he wants massive airplay...Othewise I dig Black Sweat as is...
[Edited 2/23/06 7:24am]

look at the Urban Airplay chart and look and the kind of artist Urban Mainstream radio supports.

http://www.mmr247.com/mmr...0&cutoff=1


Then look at Prince at #90 . Hes out of place in the radio world today. Even in the Urban Mainsteam format which supported him so well in the 80s and 90s.

We just may have to accept the fact that Urban AC is the only format that will stongly support him . Which they do single after single

I predict black sweat will crack the top 50, but not 40. Hopefully fury willmake up 4 this. Fury deserves 2 b #1

newpower99 said:

man thats a sad chart..what in the hell happened to music??

Is it possible for it to be a slow burner?

Check out the lastest artist index for the new Billboard Charts under Prince...

http://www.billboard.com/...artist.pdf

http://www.billboard.com/...x_song.pdf


Here's what I can figure out:

Adult R&B :
#26 Beautiful Loved & Blessed

Hot 100 Single Sales :
#3 - ???
#25 - ???

R&B / Hip Hop Top 100
#67 - Te Amo Corazon

R&B / Hip Hop Single Sales
#4 - ????
#49 - ????


can any Billboard subscribers fill in the ??? s .

Shorty said:

Hey Shorty, that's awesome! I keep emailing and calling requesting different Prince songs, but they have never announced me on the radio. I will keep requesting this though, I have also been requesting that they play it on Sirius Hits 1 even though I can't stand that channel.

On a side note, have you ever checked out www.siriusbackstage.com ? They are having a contest for listeners to come up with a new station. I have proposed a station called "funkalicious". Basically playing all funk all the time new and old. If you get a chance go there and vote for that station. I think Sirius needs this type of station. It would be cool to hear some "deep tracks" from Prince in this type of format. I would love to hear Crystal Ball played on this type of channel.

Any way enjoy your Sirius keep requesting BS!

siriusfunk said:

I have XM and they have been ignoring the 2 new songs. I may have to switch.


UPOP (ch 29) is playing Te Amo Corazon regularly though

I have been pestering radio one to play bs.

GoldenGlove said:

[Flame snipped - BananaCologne]

newpower99 said:

That chart is downright disgraceful. The song is still brand new so we should have a little more patience but with that said, Universal needs to do more to get this song out there. This song needs to be EVERYWHERE and I we need to be forceful with Universal to do their job. GoldenGlove sent out these e-mail adresses a week or two ago and I want to repost them here so that we can contact these people:

communications@umusic.com - for the US
communications2@umusic.com - for the UK

You need to get your voice out there and make Universal hear you and what you want concerning Prince and the promotion of 3121. I've e-mailed them twice and if I need to I'll e-mail them again. Lets come together and make 3121 a smash!
[Edited 2/23/06 9:01am]

purplecam said:

I'll send two e-mails to each address 2nighT! We all need to pull 2gether on this one.

GoldenGlove said:

Dude, I will join you in the fight ! I hope the rest of the org joins us.
[Edited 2/23/06 9:24am]

Just emailed. Here's what I sent:

I was thrilled when I heard that Prince had signed with Uni to release "3121" because I believed you could get him the one thing that was missing from his 2004 "comeback" -- a hit single.

In my opinion, Prince has kept up his end of the deal. "Black Sweat" is his most marketable song in a long while, yet it seems to be wilting on the vine. Step it up, folks. You are the largest label in the biz, leverage some favors/increase the pressure on PDs/whatever needs to be done and get this song on the radio!

When your execs first announced the deal for "3121," they stated that the project was a priority for Universal. I'd love to see evidence of it reflected on the singles charts.

Thanks for your time,

David XXXXX
Charlotte, NC

Peace, David

It's up to 70 on iTunes.

And i just sent this to universal twice.

"3121 is shaping up to be Prince's most marketable album since 1995's "The gold experience" SOngs such as "Black Sweat" and especialy "Fury" stand a HUGE chance of being HUGE hits on both sides of the border... however, there is just
one problem...

PROMOTION.

If the album "3121" was given propper promiton i think it has the chance to be a huge hit. Let's face it, the album is far better than anything "Usher" or "The black eyed peas" are putting out. All it needs is the propper promotion and u have yourselves a HUGE hit!

Thanks 4 ur time,

GG"

U can contact Universal here...

US - communications@umusic.com
UK - communications2@umusic.com

MarcelJ said:

This is not a Prince issue, Marcel. This is a clear channel..and other radio conglomerate issue. Paul McCartney can't get a song on the charts. Nor the Rolling Stones..nor many other talented MUSICIANS. Nor can Prince. If it isn't Ashley Simpson (puke) or Eminem, it's not going to play on the radio. It's a sad sad fact. Playlists are so damned tight now that talented people who actually sing, or play musical instruments can't be heard. Every other song sounds like the one before it. If it isnt some garage band, its avril lavigne, or Weezer...or Green day..over...and over...and over again. The old days of FM radio are gone, where dj's got to actually choose their own songs, and they could go deep into an album. Its just the sad state of affairs, and they want to know why XM and Sirius satellite radio is becoming more popular. They want to know why Ipods are so popular...because people can choose their own songs, and not have to listen to the same pussycat doll song fifteen times in 6 hours.
Enjoy the new Prince cd for yourself. You don't need it to be a hit..just enjoy it yourself