[WEEKLY SALES] Drake comes back to knock Sheeran from #1: Comment from Music Biz President James Donio

James Donio, President of the Music Business Association (Music Biz), commented on this week’s sales numbers issued by Nielsen (published in Billboard) and Border City Media (published in HITS Daily Double).

“Records continue to be broken, as Drake’s More Life tops both the Nielsen and BuzzAngle Music charts, setting a new streaming record and the biggest week for an album since his prior album in May of last year, with over half a million in equivalent album units.  Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Divide) nudges out Rick Ross’ new release Rather You Than Me for the #2 spot. The other  debut in the top 10 is the stalwart synth vets Depeche Mode with Spirit at #5, their eighth consecutive studio record to hit the top 10 since 1990. As we look ahead, the story may continue to be about the male solo artists, with debuts from Trey Songz , James Blunt and Mike Will Made-It, but Betty Blow’s The Valley might shake up that boys’ club.”