Urban Connects (no longer can show charts)

[J$crILLa]

Nielsen Company Sends Cease and Decease Letter to UC
 
 If you thought DJ Drama and the Aphillates Music Group were the only ones to feel the effect of the powers that be desperate attempt to put to bed the commercial viability of urban music entertainment well guess again. Your favorite website Urban Connects recently received a “cease and decease” notice (same day as the Aphillates raid mind you) from the legal department of VNU, parent company of Nielsen BroadCast Data Systems and Nielsen SoundScan. The issue at hand is the BDS and SoundScan numbers that are posted on this site. Because of this action we will, starting today, omit the BDS/SoundScan numbers from being posted in “chart format”…but best believe we will continue to be your source for analysis of this urban music landscape (on a business level) from the perspective of people that are of the culture.



When you see a billion dollar media entity threatening to enforce statutory damages (up to $150,000 per infringement) on a site that is completely non-revenue in nature it just goes to show how powerful a role INFLUENCE can play in the world we live in. Now it’s the time to strap the boots up and ride out! You can’t stop progression.

Feedback

Now on to your Album Chart Recap: 01/17/2007 (We apologize for the 1 day delay)

Courtesy of Popawilli aka The Industry Infiltrator

1/Dreamgirls/Soundtrack – You know the album format is big trouble when the Number 1 album on the country barely squeaks by 60K. I remember in a not too distant past when soundtrack albums used to generate more money than the movie it was made for. Get an I Pod for Christmas, copy all my bootleg and Mixtape music and then go on the Internet to my favorite P2P to get the rest free of charge. Industry wake up.

2/Akon/Konvicted – This guy is at 1.3 million and is the reason SRC exists today. Unique talent and knowing the fine art of making a hit record time and time again equates record sales. Why? Because the trust between artist and consumer has been cemented.

9/Jeezy/Inspiration: Thug Motivation – This trap star sells because of superior production and an “I Don’t Give a F*** Attitude”. Holds steady at 36K this week as he aims for platinum.

14/Nas/Hip Hop Is Dead – At this point its not about record sales with Nas, its about relevancy. In light of recent developments, dude is almost prophetic

16/Robin Thicke/Evolution Of Robin – One of the few artists on the charts that are enjoying an increase in sales as the weeks go by. Word of mouth is his Red Bull…watch the wings soar while routing for the Industry’s latest WBWS (White Boy With Soul).

20/Ciara/Evolution – She will go platinum (870K/6 weeks in) because of lack of competition in the Janet Jackson lane she currently occupies as well as the Zomba dollars being put up. The bigger question is will this project be profitable? Urban record label execs hanging on to their positions for dear life need to know.

30/Snoop Dogg/Blue Carpet Treatment – The word on the street is the album aint half bad. Add to that Snoop has a track record of delivering just what his fans are looking for and you come up with some decent numbers for the Long Beach OG. Today’s 700K was yesterday’s 1.5 million.

45/Christina Aguilera/Back To Basics – As long as DJ Premier is eating, everything is all good as far as I’m concerned. Hip Pop, get used to it.

48/Birdman & Lil Wayne/Like Father Like Son – Lil Wayne is one of the few remaining hip hop artists that people are anticipating in 2007. When the machine stops cultivating the Lil Wayne’s of the world then that’s the end. Pick up some old school pre-Universal Cash Money releases and peep his progression. Come with the microwave dinner and the consumer will dump it in the garbage.

55/Ludacris/Release Therapy – They dissed the haircut and the first single but the guy still does 1 million plus in 4 months. That only happens when you’re consistent and the consumer doesn’t feel like he’s getting ripped off when he/she purchases your album. Let the Chaka Zulu rumors continue my friends.

61/Pussycat Dolls/PCD – This format has replaced your Remy Ma’s and Shawnna’s in the mainstream. Hood girls by brand name shoes not female mc records. There is a good chance you may never see another rapper regardless of gender do their numbers again (2.5 mill and growing)

77/Mos Def/Tru3 Magic – All enquires about this mystery album is to be directed to Dave House of IGA Records. Thank You

89/Jim Jones/Hustler’s P.O.M.E. – Why isn’t this record Gold? Because 14 year old girls have no idea who Jim Jones is. This is one of the few times that a major marketing push was warranted so instead Jones hits the 300K mark with 10 weeks on the charts.

102/Diddy/Press Play – Its quite clear Diddy doesn’t make his money from selling records. Correct execution wrong player. Gold with another 500k to go to break even.

117/Brian McKnight/Ten – His time has came and went, at this point you cant be mad at the game.

120/Crunk Hits/Crunk Hits Vol 3 – 6,500 first week as TVT grabs the last pennies off the Lil Jon gravy train.

141/Mary J Blige/Breakthrough – Still on the charts, OG status. When fans root for you to win they show support with their wallet.

145/Jibbs/Jibbs Feat Jibbs – The future of Hip Hop where ringtones outpace album sales. The second single has the strength to keep the St Louis youngsta on the map for a little while longer.

157/Styles P/Time Is Money – Its independent time for the Yonkers N.Y. native. Welcome BACK to the future of pure hip hop.

173/Lil Boosie/Bad Azz – See Styles P