ONE-DAY SALES:
USHER PACKS THE AISLES

Arista Soul Man’s Confessions Driving Consumers to Retail

March 24, 2004

It’s the rise of the house of Usher once more. This time around, though, it’s looking like a major leap ahead for the Arista R&B artist, as well as a definite #1 on next week’s chart.
As expected, according to early reports from national accounts, Usher’s new album, Confessions, is on track to sell a huge amount in its first week. What's unexpected, however, is that the album's first-week number looks like it will come in around 900k, and possibly more. Previous guesses had pegged it at around 700k.

While difficult to gauge after just one day on sale, most think the album will come in shy of a million, even if it continues to outperform throughout the week—though prognosticators say nothing is out of the question when a record is this big.

The major sales surprise follows a major radio story, where second single "Burn" is following in the wake of #1 barn-burner "Yeah," which features rappers Ludacris and Lil Jon.

Early success for Confessions represents a final feather in the cap for outgoing Arista execs and staffers including EVP/GM Larry Mestel and promotion head Steve Bartels, who are rightfully proud of pulling off such a big set-up and release under lame-duck conditions.

Responsibility for the project now falls to Joe Riccitelli and his Jive promotion squad, who will work with Usher co-managers Tommy Mottola and Jonnetta Patton, who also happens to be Usher’s mom.

Meanwhile, the second-highest debut on next week’s chart will be Now 15 (EMM), which looks headed for a first week of over 300k.

And coming out of left field is Bad Boy/Universal’s Carl Thomas, whose Let’s Talk About It is surprising everyone with first-day action pointing to a 150k week.

Vying for fourth-highest debut, meanwhile, are N.E.R.D.’s Fly or Die (Virgin) and Guns N’ Roses’ Greatest Hits (Geffen), each of which is likely to log a first-week total exceeding 120k.

Next week, it’s all about Janet (Virgin) and J-Kwon (So So Def/Arista).

I'm not saying that the album is bad but I assume people are picking it up based on that terrible first single...this is why Clear Channel scares the hell out of me!

did folks listen to this album online? "Yeah" is absolute garbage. I hate Lil Jon so much. Just goes to show folks really don't care what kind of person you are in real life as long as you keep the bangers comin'.

Well, I hate "Yeah", but I bought the album and I love it. My favorite songs are "Throwback", "Do it To Me", "Confessions Pt. 2", and "Burn".

i like yeah...you haters

at least one who won't bitch about dl killing records sales

Rhondab said:

Unfortunately it's kinda growing on me too but it's the kinda song I'll absolutely HATE in about a month. The music @ the gym is ruining my ears!!!

I also thought "YEAH" was weak, but it's all about the producers, and I'll buy anything by JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS...

4 tracks that suit me just fine -

SIMPLE THINGS - Jam & Lewis (my favorite track on the entire abbott)
TRUTH HURTS - Jam & Lewis
BAD GIRL - Jam & Lewis and Destromusic
THAT'S WHAT IT'S MADE FOR - Jam & Lewis

(all co-produced by Bobby Ross Avila & Izzy Real)

YEAH! - Lil' John
THROWBACK - Just Blaze
CONFESSIONS part II - Jermaine Dupri
BURN - Jermaine Dupri
DO IT TO ME - Jermaine Dupri
CAUGHT UP - Vidal & Dre
SUPERSTAR - Vidal & Dre
FOLLOW ME - Vidal & Dre
CAN U HANDLE IT? - Thicke & Pro J
TAKE YOUR HAND - Rich Harrison

b-sides...

SWEET LIES - The Neptunes
RED LIGHT - Lil' John





***"That's What It's Made For" is HILARIOUS! Dig those lyrics!!!...

I don't hate Usher, but I also don't see why he would have the biggest selling album. But then again, it's definitely better than having Jessica Simpson getting to no. 2 on the album chart.

When will people wake up?

Who cares if his single sucks! but when Tommy Mottola is your manager clearchannel will play any thing you got!
and airplay does equal sales.
Usher gives me hives!