If you thought sales of Adele‘s ‘21‘ has ‘slowed down’. it’s high time you think again.

Oh yes, as if selling 20 million copies worldwide wasn’t enough, the iconic LP continues on its bid to the first project to score diamond status, since 2004.

To be precise, the LP 9x platinum by the RIAA for shipments surpassing the 9 million units sold mark.

Shifting over 8.74 million copies at retail outlets, ’21′ is the best-selling ‘US’ release, since Usher’s ‘Confessions‘ in the 2004, and is yet to leave the top 10 of the Billboard 200, notching 23 nonconsecutive weeks at #1.

This, making it as longest-running #1 album since Prince’s 1985 effort, ‘Purple Rain’.

As well as this, ’21′ is the proud owner of the top-selling digital single by a solo act in the US , with the now iconic smash ‘Rolling in the Deep’.

With over 7 million downloads in 67 weeks it is the second highest downloaded cut in US chart history, second only to the Black Eyed Peas’ ‘I Gotta Feeling’ ,with a cool 8 million million downloads since 2009.

Congrats to her!

That many people can relate to this woman? She's not even entertaining. Totally ridiculous.

Whoa, I had my doubts but this album really is gonna go diamond.

I would call it diamond worthy.

I can't believe I've owned it for like 16 months already.

Adele just sings.

No choreography, no hiding the weight, if the voice doesn't grab you, not much else will.

Soundscan has the album at 8.7 million right now. It'll get 9 million in four or five weeks. It'll go Diamond by 2013 in my predictions.

I'd like to say and dream that MUSIC is going back to basics... I mean, MUSIC.

But I guess this is just an exception... And I'm glad for this exception.

A fresh breeze of something Real, made with Quality, Class, Heart, Soul and something the music has lacked since the last century in last new generation of people (so called artists ...?): Talent.

Thanx Adele, for an Album without which started with no any flamboyant videos, promises, marketing and tits.

An album that speaks for itself.

Timmy84 said:

Soundscan has the album at 8.7 million right now. It'll get 9 million in four or five weeks. It'll go Diamond by 2013 in my predictions.

More like 6-7 months down the road lol. Hasn't it sold like 2 million this year already?

Congrads!!!!

Terrib3Towel said:

Timmy84 said:

Soundscan has the album at 8.7 million right now. It'll get 9 million in four or five weeks. It'll go Diamond by 2013 in my predictions.

More like 6-7 months down the road lol. Hasn't it sold like 2 million this year already?

Yeah lol

Nice

I do like the confessions album.... only that & 8701 by Ush Ush But he's got a big ass head & having his sales suprased is going to majorly screw with his head

Timmy84 said:

Terrib3Towel said:

More like 6-7 months down the road lol. Hasn't it sold like 2 million this year already?

Yeah lol

but i think in all fairness and not slighting her but a large portion of that came on the back of a grammy sweep, and this also shows the HUGE drop in the music industry in a decade, back in 2002 going into the Grammy show Norah Jones "Come Away with me" was sitting under 2 million sold, a year later was nearing 10 million sold, and 8 million unit rise, Adele by next year might have sold 3 million in that year, so its save to say the music business in a decade has lost at least 60% of its buying public, so much for that huge digital push.

Gunsnhalen said:

Nice

I do like the confessions album.... only that & 8701 by Ush Ush But he's got a big ass head & having his sales suprased is going to majorly screw with his head

Yea Usher is holding on to that record for dear lifee!!!

I'm not feeling his hairstyle

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Usher Wants to Work With Adele

by: Scott Shetler/KC00L

Ethan Miller / Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Usher is hooking up with rising singer-songwriter Labrinth for an upcoming track, but he says he really has his eye on another British artist, Grammy queen Adele.

“I think the world deserves an Usher and Adele record. That’s what I think,” he told Capital FM. “That would be the other U.K. connection that I think everybody would be really fond of and enjoy.” It’s hard to imagine what an Usher / Adele duet would sound like, since she doesn’t often perform with other artists. If Adele is interested, she would have to get past the fact that the R&B star has jokingly tried to sabotage her record sales.

MTV reports that Usher said in the same interview that his competitive side doesn’t want to see Adele’s ’21′ overtake his ‘Confessions’ in terms of sales figures. “I have to confess that I have told a few people not to go and buy Adele’s album because I don’t want her to go and break my record,” he admitted.

“No, actually, I love her. Unfortunately, she’s the closest to breaking my record for the last 10 years. So now, guys, don’t go and buy that album right now.” ‘Confessions’ has sold nearly 10 million copies since its release in 2004, while Adele’s latest has now exceeded 8 million.

What do you think, PopCrush readers? Would you want to see Adele work with Usher? What do you think such a collaboration might sound like?

its the usual typical BS, when Coldplay came out and where selling zillions of records everyone that was struggling all of a sudden was a Coldplay fan and wanted to work with them, Usher right now is at a stage where he is viewed as old news, so he needs something to kick start any form of crossover interest in him

Timmy84 said:

Soundscan has the album at 8.7 million right now. It'll get 9 million in four or five weeks. It'll go Diamond by 2013 in my predictions.

Well, the Billboard Awards are coming up and she has 18 nominaitons. She's going to be the 'show' just like at the Grammy's, so you could see another spike in sales pretty soon.

I think 'Confessions' was the last album to be recieved like this, with #1 hits and sales to match, except Adele's has been recieved more favorably by critics. This album is just huge...its everywhere. No re-release, 4 singles, 2 official videos and ~50 millions records sold.

The next era probably won't see half the success as this one but she has a lot of pressure going into the next album.

I found the album so refreshing the first time I heard a clip of it that I bought it, and I almost never buy new music anymore because I was sick and tired of the cookie cutter music the industry inflicts on us. The album was everything I thought it would be.

I think it's fantastic for the industry that this is doing so well. Maybe it'll move the industry away from selling a look and image and back to real music from real musicians. I think the big sales also show that it's the industry, not the consumers, that are the cause of the decline in record sales.

Lady GaGa is somewhere is cussing up a storm and throwing raw meat @ the TV screen.

alandail said:

I found the album so refreshing the first time I heard a clip of it that I bought it, and I almost never buy new music anymore because I was sick and tired of the cookie cutter music the industry inflicts on us. The album was everything I thought it would be.

I think it's fantastic for the industry that this is doing so well. Maybe it'll move the industry away from selling a look and image and back to real music from real musicians. I think the big sales also show that it's the industry, not the consumers, that are the cause of the decline in record sales.

Usher and Beyonce are such opportunists. I remember when Gaga exploded, Bey couldn't wait to attach herself to her name, not only once but twice. Then it was Adele praise and now Mr. Raymond's doing the same.

Anyway, this has been the biggest album in a long time. Didn't need a re-release like Confessions. Couple that with the fact that the era began in 2011 compared to 2004 and it's a no-brainer. I knew it was going Diamond. I just had a feeling. And it's doing it this year which is absolutely incredible.

I want her to perform Rumor Has It at the Billboard Awards. I can only imagine what would happen after that in addition to her awards sweep.

IIAGY said:

Timmy84 said:

Soundscan has the album at 8.7 million right now. It'll get 9 million in four or five weeks. It'll go Diamond by 2013 in my predictions.

Well, the Billboard Awards are coming up and she has 18 nominaitons. She's going to be the 'show' just like at the Grammy's, so you could see another spike in sales pretty soon.

I think 'Confessions' was the last album to be recieved like this, with #1 hits and sales to match, except Adele's has been recieved more favorably by critics. This album is just huge...its everywhere. No re-release, 4 singles, 2 official videos and ~50 millions records sold.

The next era probably won't see half the success as this one but she has a lot of pressure going into the next album.

I wouldn't say she does. This wasn't a huge media driven affair like 'Thriller' or 'Purple Rain' where the expectations out the gate were enormous.

Adele just has to show up and sing. She's exceeded expectations, so where's the pressure?

I don't think she has the ego where she has to 'top' '21.'

Harlepolis said:

Lady GaGa is somewhere is cussing up a storm and throwing raw meat @ the TV screen.

at the image.

SUPRMAN said:

IIAGY said:

Well, the Billboard Awards are coming up and she has 18 nominaitons. She's going to be the 'show' just like at the Grammy's, so you could see another spike in sales pretty soon.

I think 'Confessions' was the last album to be recieved like this, with #1 hits and sales to match, except Adele's has been recieved more favorably by critics. This album is just huge...its everywhere. No re-release, 4 singles, 2 official videos and ~50 millions records sold.

The next era probably won't see half the success as this one but she has a lot of pressure going into the next album.

I wouldn't say she does. This wasn't a huge media driven affair like 'Thriller' or 'Purple Rain' where the expectations out the gate were enormous.

Adele just has to show up and sing. She's exceeded expectations, so where's the pressure?

I don't think she has the ego where she has to 'top' '21.'

20 MILLION?

alandail said:

I found the album so refreshing the first time I heard a clip of it that I bought it, and I almost never buy new music anymore because I was sick and tired of the cookie cutter music the industry inflicts on us. The album was everything I thought it would be.

I think it's fantastic for the industry that this is doing so well. Maybe it'll move the industry away from selling a look and image and back to real music from real musicians. I think the big sales also show that it's the industry, not the consumers, that are the cause of the decline in record sales.

I bought it based on hearing her debut.

I didn't see why 'Rolling In the Deep,' was the first single or why it was such a hit, but hearing that live version of 'Someone Like You,' floored me and brought tears to my eyes.

I lost the love of my life in 2010 and hearing that song really got to me.

The only song I don't like is her cover of 'Interstate Love Song.'

I'm really glad for her but it's ashame how big of an accomplishment this is now.

SUPRMAN said:

IIAGY said:

Well, the Billboard Awards are coming up and she has 18 nominaitons. She's going to be the 'show' just like at the Grammy's, so you could see another spike in sales pretty soon.

I think 'Confessions' was the last album to be recieved like this, with #1 hits and sales to match, except Adele's has been recieved more favorably by critics. This album is just huge...its everywhere. No re-release, 4 singles, 2 official videos and ~50 millions records sold.

The next era probably won't see half the success as this one but she has a lot of pressure going into the next album.

I wouldn't say she does. This wasn't a huge media driven affair like 'Thriller' or 'Purple Rain' where the expectations out the gate were enormous.

Adele just has to show up and sing. She's exceeded expectations, so where's the pressure?

I don't think she has the ego where she has to 'top' '21.'

Well its hard to say, its all how she responds to it, regardless of what it sells obviously a label will want a duplicate, but reality has to come into play and thats just not gonna happen, even if its better record. The hype on 21 is similar to what Norah Jones had in 2002, though Norah was more low key and it was a debut record, it was on that level just a little more expectation from adele. However she isnt the type of performer that needs that acclaim, she can do what she wants, Norah Jones is another who has constantly done what she likes and doesnt really care about selling because she knows "come away with me " was a fluke. But on Purple Rain i dont think Prince had expectation, true money was spent, but the media was way different then. Going into Purple Rain he was barely a known name and had really just crossed over somewhat, 1999 was a big album, but for those times its sales were nothing insane, today an selling 2-3 million would be like snow in july.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

SUPRMAN said:

I wouldn't say she does. This wasn't a huge media driven affair like 'Thriller' or 'Purple Rain' where the expectations out the gate were enormous.

Adele just has to show up and sing. She's exceeded expectations, so where's the pressure?

I don't think she has the ego where she has to 'top' '21.'

Do you remember the 'Purple Rain' soundtrack had this promotional vehicle called 'Purple Rain,' the movie?

You don't remember the full page Billboard ads the week before 'When Doves Cry?' was released?

As a Prince fan I remember thinking that everyone was going to know who Prince was now.

lastdecember said:

SUPRMAN said:

I wouldn't say she does. This wasn't a huge media driven affair like 'Thriller' or 'Purple Rain' where the expectations out the gate were enormous.

Adele just has to show up and sing. She's exceeded expectations, so where's the pressure?

I don't think she has the ego where she has to 'top' '21.'

Well its hard to say, its all how she responds to it, regardless of what it sells obviously a label will want a duplicate, but reality has to come into play and thats just not gonna happen, even if its better record. The hype on 21 is similar to what Norah Jones had in 2002, though Norah was more low key and it was a debut record, it was on that level just a little more expectation from adele. However she isnt the type of performer that needs that acclaim, she can do what she wants, Norah Jones is another who has constantly done what she likes and doesnt really care about selling because she knows "come away with me " was a fluke. But on Purple Rain i dont think Prince had expectation, true money was spent, but the media was way different then. Going into Purple Rain he was barely a known name and had really just crossed over somewhat, 1999 was a big album, but for those times its sales were nothing insane, today an selling 2-3 million would be like snow in july.

If I recall, before it was released, Prince told Wendy she should buy a house as they were about to be rich. Prince certainly expected big things from Purple Rain. Hear how he gloats in 'MovieStar?'

SUPRMAN said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Do you remember the 'Purple Rain' soundtrack had this promotional vehicle called 'Purple Rain,' the movie?

You don't remember the full page Billboard ads the week before 'When Doves Cry?' was released?

As a Prince fan I remember thinking that everyone was going to know who Prince was now.

I sure do remember it. I looked for them & knew every bit of advertisement before the BIG DAY. But that is a different type of promotion. Because the WB had a movie & soundtrack to sell. I knew Prince was never going to be an undergroud artist again. I miss those day before PR. That was when the real fans was they're.

To the other person. Yes Prince knew he had a massive hit on his hands. The movie tested really well with audiences before it was released...So he warned poor Wendy. She was so young then, fresh out of High School inserted in the middle of her first ever superstar worldwide tour.

[Edited 4/22/12 11:32am]