S. Samuel
R&B singer Justin Timberlake could possibly earn a platinum plaque as early as next Wednesday as first-week sales projections for his new 20/20 Experience are now up to 900,000.
If all goes accordingly, JT’s new comeback LP should easily make it 2013’s best-selling album in just a week’s time span.
Industry sources now forecast that Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience” could sell between 850,000 and 900,000 by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, March 24. Could “20/20” go over 900,000? It’s quite possible, if the set performs strongly over the weekend. With its massive sales, “20/20” will instantly become the year’s top selling album. It will eclipse Mumford & Sons‘ “Babel,” which has sold 631,000 in 2013 according to Nielsen SoundScan. Timberlake will also score his second No. 1 and his best-ever sales week with “20/20.” His previous high came with the arrival of his last album, 2006’s “FutureSex/LoveSounds,” which bowed with 684,000 at No. 1. (Billboard)
Initial estimates had the LP shelling out up to 750,000 records in week one.
TOWERING TIMBERLAKE: With early retail reports coming in hot and heavy, we’re upping the previous 600k first-week estimate on Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience to north of 750k. Can it hit 800k? Now, wouldn’t that be something for a music biz desperately in need of a dial-moving smash? Credit a brilliant setup by RCA’s Peter Edge and Tom Corson, expert radio wrangling on the part of Joe Riccitelli and, last but not least, the massive appeal and considerable talent of J.T. his bad self. (3/20a) (HITS Daily Double)
The estimate came shortly after JT released his “Mirrors” music video.
Justin Timberlake gives fans the full “20/20 Experience” in the world premiere music video of “Mirrors'”off his latest album. The video is dedicated to Timberlake’s grandparents William and Sadie. His grandfather passed away last year and the video tells the couple’s love story through several generations. The 32-year-old singer hasn’t dug this deep in to his personal life through a music video since the”Cry Me River” ballad, which alluded to his breakup at the time with ex Britney Spears. The eight minute clip was directed by Floria Sigismond (director of the Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart film “Runways”) and shows what appears to be a grieving widow in the bedroom she shared with her husband over the years. (New York Daily News)
Earlier in the week, Timberlake celebrated his long-awaited LP’s arrival with an album release party in Los Angeles.
Justin Timberlake fans busted out their best suits and ties for a formal affair at the El Rey Theatre on Monday, celebrating the release of the singer’s long-awaited third solo album, The 20/20 Experience. While a good portion of the venue was dedicated to cameras, teleprompters and audio mixers, guests were transported to a greater era at the iHeartRadio- and Target-hosted soiree. To wit: Photographers placed on the mini red carpet bore “Press” cards in their caps while wielding old-timey cameras; show girls — decked tete to derriere in white feathers — greeted concert-goers with big smiles and long legs; and cigarette girls doled out red bowties, pocket squares, sheer scarves and lipstick cases. Meanwhile, straight-backed gentlemen offered glasses of champagne to the VIPs upon entrance and hand-passed hors d’oeuvres inside the venue. (The Hollywood Reporter)
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