Music: New talent, online music booming and latest releases
50 Cent launches G-Unit books
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Friday, 05, Jan 2007 05:36
Evidence that the music industry is becoming increasingly dominated by technological developments emerged yesterday. Research from Nielsen SoundScan found that album sales in the US fell by five per cent in 2006, but the growth of digital music sales means that the combined total with digital tracks reached nearly 1.2 billion units, a 20.8 increase from last year's 1 billion units of various music configurations, Billboard reports.
Meanwhile online music sites have had a double advantage for Lily Allen this week. Not only has her MySpace site launched her into the British pop scene but it has also played a role in helping to return her stolen dog.
She first told the site that Maggie May, an English bull terrier, had gone missing on December 28th, and posted contact details and a promise of a reward. This week a delighted Lily update the site to announce that her online plea had been successful and she is now reunited with her pooch.
Singer-songwriter Mika has been named as the best new talent for 2007 in the BBC's Sound of Music poll. The Beirut-born 23-year-old saw off competition from The Twang, Klaxons and among others for the top spot. If the success of past winners, including - according to the BBC - 50 Cent, Keane and The Bravery, is anything to go by then Mika looks set for a triumphant year.
Talking of 50 Cent, the rapper has made an unusual foray into the literary world. He has joined up with MTV Pocket Books to tell the stories based on members of the G-Unit.
50 Cent told allhiphop.com in a statement: "The stories in the G-Unit series are the kinds of dramas me and my crew have been dealing with our whole lives: death, deceit, double-crosses, ultimate loyalty, and total betrayal. It's about our life on the streets and no one knows it better than us."
Good news for Kaiser Chiefs fans - the band have just announced their biggest UK tour. The 12-show tour kicks off in Manchester on February 21st and wind up in Cardiff on March 10th. Tickets can be bought from Monday January 8th on the band's official site; until then you can check out the details on their MySpace page.
Singers looking for some success in the new year's UK singles chart include Amy Winehouse featuring Ghostface Killah with You Know I'm No Good, Evanescence with Lithium and Automatic with Raoul.
But they face a tough challenge, with the top of the chart still dominated by Leona Lewis and Take That.
The latter are also ruling the top of the UK album chart along with Oasis and Snow Patrol, but the release of the live CD of Kylie's Showgirl concert could shake things up a little bit.