Adele's "21" album hits a number of major milestones this week on the Billboard 200 chart, as it basks in the glow of the British diva's multiple Grammy Award wins on Feb. 12.

The album sold 730,000 copies in the U.S. last week (ending Feb. 19) according to Nielsen SoundScan -- up a whopping 207%. It spends a 21st week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

It is the biggest sales week for any album since Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV" debuted at No. 1 with 964,000 on the chart dated Sept. 17, 2011. 730,000 is also the largest week for "21," as its previous-best week came over the Christmas holiday, when it shifted 399,000.

More impressively, the last time a non-debuting album sold more than "21" did this past week was on the chart dated Jan. 5, 2008. That was when Josh Groban's "Noel" album moved 757,000 copies over the busy Christmas week of 2007.

Among all albums, since SoundScan started tracking sales in 1991, "21" has the second-largest sales week for an album outside of the Christmas shopping season and its first month of release. Only the "Titanic" soundtrack moved more (with those qualifiers) on the chart dated Feb. 28, 1998, when it sold 848,000 at No. 1 -- two months after its debut. (It had a huge gain that week on the chart -- it was up by 44% -- thanks to the Valentine's Day holiday.)

"21" is No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for a 21st nonconsecutive week, marking the longest-running No. 1 album in the SoundScan era. It surpasses "The Bodyguard" soundtrack (20 weeks at No. 1 in 1992-1993) for the most chart-topping frames since the Billboard 200 began using SoundScan data in 1991.

"21" -- Adele's second album -- also becomes the longest-running No. 1 album by a woman in history, surpassing the Whitney Houston-led "Bodyguard" album.

Next up in "21's" sights is M.C. Hammer's "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em," which also banked 21 weeks at No. 1 back in 1990.

Here are the albums with the most weeks at No. 1 in the nearly-56 year history of the Billboard 200 chart:

Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Peak Year

54, "West Side Story" soundtrack, 1962**

37, "Thriller," Michael Jackson, 1983

31, "Rumours," Fleetwood Mac, 1977

31, "South Pacific" soundtrack, 1958

31, "Calypso," Harry Belafonte, 1956 24, "Purple Rain," Prince and the Revolution/Soundtrack, 1984

24, "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, 1978

21, "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em," M.C. Hammer, 1990

21, "21," Adele, 2011

** (The figure of 54 weeks at No. 1 combines the set's time atop separate stereo and mono LP charts before the Billboard 200 became a singular ranking the week of Aug. 17, 1963.)

"21" also turns one-year old on the Billboard 200 as it claims its 52nd week on the list. The album has never left the top 10 in its entire chart run, dipping only as low as No. 7 on Dec. 10, 2011.

Adele is not only No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week, but she's also No. 4 with her debut set, "19" (87,000; up 144%). It's the album's best sales week and highest position. Combined, "21" and "19" moved 817,000 copies last week.

This is the first time an act has two concurrent albums in the top four of the chart since Oct. 9, 2004, when Nelly's concurrently-released "Suit" and "Sweat" were Nos. 2 and 4 in their second week on the chart.

The last time an act snared two albums in the top five -- that weren't released at the same time -- was on April 4, 1992. That was when Garth Brooks' "Ropin' the Wind" was No. 2 and "No Fences" was No. 4.

It should be noted that while Billboard 200 has allowed catalog (older) albums to chart since the end of 2009 (thus why we see "19" in the top four), that wasn't always the case. On the now-defunct Top Comprehensive Albums chart (which ranked both new and old albums), Michael Jackson posthumously notched three out of the top four during seven nonconsecutive weeks in 2009.

Finally, "21's" so-far three singles moved an incredible number of downloads last week -- a combined total of 709,000. "Rolling in the Deep" shifted 271,000 (up 115%), "Set Fire to the Rain" did 254,000 (up 36%) and "Someone Like You" sold 183,000 (up 44%).

Adele by the Numbers:

6 - Grammy Awards won by Adele on Feb. 12. Her total Grammy count now stands at eight, as she earned two trophies at the 2009 ceremony.

730,000 - Number of copies "21" sold in the U.S. last week (ending Feb. 19) according to Nielsen SoundScan.

207% - The sales gain "21" earned in the week after the Feb. 12 Grammy Awards.

7,353,000 - Total number of copies "21" has sold in the U.S.

2.34% - Percentage of the U.S. population that owns "21" (based on the U.S. Census Bureau's current population estimate of 313,059,000; and if each "21" owner only has one copy).

21 - Number of weeks "21" has spent at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

9 - Number of albums that have spent 21 weeks or more at No. 1 in history.

52 - Weeks that "21" has been in release. Also the total number of weeks the album has been in the top 10 of the Billboard 200.

Oct. 2, 2004 - With Adele's "21" and "19" in the top four concurrently, it's the first time an act has had a pair of albums in the top four since Nelly on Oct. 2, 2004.

3 - "21" has spawned three singles thus far, and all of hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart: "Rolling in the Deep," "Someone Like You" and "Set Fire to the Rain."

709,000 - Downloads sold last week of those three singles: "Rolling in the Deep" shifted 271,000 (up 115%), "Set Fire to the Rain" did 254,000 (up 36%) and "Someone Like You" sold 183,000 (up 44%).

http://www.billboard.com/...5952.story

Wow... just wow...

speaking of Adele, check this out

Adele and Ed Sheeran win at UK music's Brit Awards

Feb 22, 2012 circa 5:20 (pst) http://tv.yahoo.com/news/...08333.html

LONDON (AP) — Soulful songstress Adele capped a momentous year of Grammy Awards triumph and medical woes with a double win at the U.K.'s Brit music awards Tuesday, taking prizes for album of the year and best British female solo artist before making an obscene gesture after the show's host cut her acceptance speech short.

Teen-friendly English troubadour Ed Sheeran won two trophies, including British male solo artist, at an energetic ceremony in London.

It has been a dramatic year for down-to-earth north London diva Adele, who based her chart-topping songs of heartbreak on a rocky relationship.

Her sophomore album "21" won six Grammys last week and has sold more than 6 million copies in the United States alone. But Adele also had to undergo vocal cord surgery in November to fix a potentially career-threatening throat condition.

She delivered a powerhouse performance of her single "Rolling in the Deep" to thousands of fans and industry insiders at London's O2 arena.

"It's been an amazing year," Adele said as she received the female artist statuette from petite pop star Kylie Minogue.

"I feel like a drag queen next to you," joked the winner, who wore a sleek black Burberry gown but towered over Minogue. She thanked her record company "for letting me be the kind of artist I want to be."

The show's host, actor James Corden, cut off Adele's second acceptance speech, prompting the singer to make a rude middle-finger gesture in frustration.

She stressed afterward that it was aimed at industry leaders, not her fans.

"I'm sorry if I offended anyone but it was the suits that offended me," Adele said. "Thank you all very much and thanks to my fans. I don't want them to think I was swearing at them."

The show's broadcaster, ITV, issued a statement apologizing to Adele for cutting her off.

"We regret this happened and we send deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short tonight due to the live show over-running," ITV said.

The 23-year-old lost out on the British single prize to boy band One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful," but took the coveted album of the year award for "21." The statue was presented by singer George Michael, returning to the stage after suffering life-threatening pneumonia in December.

The ceremony also included tributes to two departed divas, Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse.

Tousle-haired singer-songwriter Sheeran won prizes for solo artist and British breakthrough act.

The red-headed 21-year-old has been panned as bland by some critics, but has amassed legions of young fans through online releases and a relentless calendar of shows.

Sheeran thanked his manager for transforming a "spotty, chubby ginger teenager" into a Brit-winner.

Long derided as dull, the Brits have become a lively celebration of U.K. music and style — and this year's awards come with British music riding high around the world.

"I'm so, so proud to be British and to be flying our flag," said Adele, who has the century's best-selling album so far.

Tuesday's event — which kicked off with Coldplay performing "Charlie Brown" and included live turns from Sheeran, Florence and the Machine, Noel Gallagher, Bruno Mars and Rihanna — brought out a host of stars who blended rock 'n' roll attitude and fashion finery.

Blur frontman Damon Albarn dressed down for the red carpet in jeans and a flat cap, and former Oasis guitarist Gallagher wore a leather jacket. But others struck a snazzier note. Actor Ray Winstone arrived in a pinstriped three-piece suit, complete with watch chain.

Style standouts included Minogue, in a strapless sky blue dress; plump-lipped Internet sensation Lana Del Rey, wearing a floor-length red gown; and Florence and the Machine's Florence Welch, in a lacy peach dress by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

Coldplay won their fourth best British group trophy, while Foo Fighters were voted best international group.

Bruno Mars took the prize for international male solo artist, and Rihanna won the international female prize for a second year.

The Barbadian singer, who has often been in the news for non-musical reasons since her then-boyfriend Chris Brown attacked her at a pre-Grammy Awards party in 2009, thanked her fans.

"At times when I feel misunderstood, my fans always remind me that it's OK to be myself," she said.

Lana Del Rey appeared moved to be named international breakthrough act.

"This award means much more to me than you know," said the singer, who has gone from Internet-fueled buzz to backlash in record time after a disastrous performance last month on "Saturday Night Live."

Britpop icons Blur received a special prize for their contribution to music.

The four original members — Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree — performed together for the first time since a series of concerts in 2009, offering versions of 1990s hits including "Girls & Boys" and "Parklife."

Most of the awards are chosen by more than 1,000 musicians, critics and record industry figures, with several decided by public vote.

the irony...... first M.I.A.'s shockaroonie. now Adele's roonieShocka! too funny

(hey, you can check it out on youtube! )

[Edited 2/21/12 18:08pm]

^ I love that woman.

the industry too. She about 4 million deep in the UK now and she's coming for Queen's all time record. The old UK music industry is scurred now...

Gaga....who?

Thanks for The Brits spoilers, it just came on 20 minutes ago in the states!

Timmy84 said:

the industry too. She about 4 million deep in the UK now and she's coming for Queen's all time record. The old UK music industry is scurred now...

If this wasn't the piracy age she's probably have the best selling album of all time in the UK already!

She beat The Bodyguards record of 20 weeks..

Good job Adele!!

Terrib3Towel said:

She beat The Bodyguards record of 20 weeks..

Good job Adele!!

She'll beat Hammer's next.

Timmy84 said:

Terrib3Towel said:

She beat The Bodyguards record of 20 weeks..

Good job Adele!!

She'll beat Hammer's next.

Then Prince.

I have no problem with who's record she beats.

smoothcriminal12 said:

Timmy84 said:

She'll beat Hammer's next.

Then Prince.

I got no problem with that lol

Timmy84 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

Then Prince.

I got no problem with that lol

I'd be proud if she does tbh.

smoothcriminal12 said:

Timmy84 said:

I got no problem with that lol

I'd be proud if she does tbh.

Right.

Did that twat seriously interrupt her to introduce Blur? Blur? Really?

Go head Adele!!! Break all the records and show them that my generation can produce talent as good as the olden days.

maybe adele subconciously came to M.I.A.'s rescue via the media. after all they are both from the same stomping grounds. they're both from london.

okay, i'm finished!

[Edited 2/21/12 19:55pm]

woo! i think it would be cool if someone breaks MJ record. Just to prove it can be broken

free2bfreeda said:

maybe adele subconciously came to M.I.A.'s rescue via the media. after all they are both from the same stomping grounds. they're both from london.

okay, i'm finished!

[Edited 2/21/12 19:55pm]

I'm guessing the guy on her right was the one who announced Blur while she did that.

I love Adele even more now. Seriously, how u gonna cut short her speech? The woman is still selling albums and at the top of the charts after recovering from serious throat surgery where she couldn't speak for months. If anyone deserves to talk over the allotted time, I think it's her.

yanowha said:

Did that twat seriously interrupt her to introduce Blur? Blur? Really?

Hey... i love Blur

But honestly didn't know they where still around

Gunsnhalen said:

yanowha said:

Did that twat seriously interrupt her to introduce Blur? Blur? Really?

Hey... i love Blur

But honestly didn't know they where still around

If I'm not mistaken they just reunited. I'm only familiar with that "We Love Girls Who Love Boys Who Do Boys" or something like that...

lazycrockett said:

Gaga....who?

I honestly feel like she's completely overshadowed Gaga this time around, depsite the fact they don't make music that resemble each other.

This is insane though and I'm so proud of her. Original predictions were 450K, then 650K and she ended up with 730K a YEAR after release.

'21' finished #1 on the year end chart last year and could be the first album since "Thriller" to finish #1 in back-to-back years. '19' is in the top 10 YTD in 2012...4 years after release.

This girl sold 709K singles and 730K albums -- that's close to 1.5 million record sold in a week. When the worldwide numbers come out in a few days, she'll top 1 million albums sold, easily.

Adele is NOT here to make friends.

IIAGY said:

lazycrockett said:

Gaga....who?

I honestly feel like she's completely overshadowed Gaga this time around, depsite the fact they don't make music that resemble each other.

This is insane though and I'm so proud of her. Original predictions were 450K, then 650K and she ended up with 730K a YEAR after release.

'21' finished #1 on the year end chart last year and could be the first album since "Thriller" to finish #1 in back-to-back years. '19' is in the top 10 YTD in 2012...4 years after release.

This girl sold 709K singles and 730K albums (another ~90K with 19) -- that's close to 1.5 million record sold in a week. When the worldwide numbers come out in a few days, she'll top 1 million albums sold, easily.

Adele is NOT here to make friends.

Gunsnhalen said:

yanowha said:

Did that twat seriously interrupt her to introduce Blur? Blur? Really?

Hey... i love Blur

But honestly didn't know they where still around

Hey dont be mad at Blur, they didn't announce themselves. Blur rocks!! much better than those horrible gallagher brothers.

lazycrockett said:

much better than those horrible gallagher brothers.

I still don't understand the hype around those idiots.

[Edited 2/21/12 21:09pm]

Timmy84 said:

lazycrockett said:

much better than those horrible gallagher brothers.

I still don't understand the hype around those idiots.

[Edited 2/21/12 21:09pm]

Ditto Blur was always more adventurous than the wanna be beatles.

[Edited 2/21/12 21:11pm]