This Week in Album Sales: The Post-Grammy Orgy

("Can you feel...the love....tonight)

It happens every year. All of America watches the Grammys, they see someone walk down the red carpet in a ridiculous outfit or step on stage and immediately rush to buy as much music as possible. Why? I have no idea, but it's such a predictable bump that record labels plan their first quarter sales around the post-Grammy sales orgy. So who benefited the most from this year's Awards? A little someone you may have heard of before - Dr. Dre. While the good doctor is still getting worked by the Katy Perry's of the world, I think we can already say "I Need a Doctor" is a hit. Now, about that album....

Top Digital Urban Song Sales (w/ units sold)

1 (5th overall). Wiz Khalifa - Black & Yellow (152543)
2. (6th overall) Cee-Lo Green - Fuck You (148,288)
3 (7th overall). Rihanna - S&M (144,551)
4 (8th overall). Bruno Mars - Grenade (143,397)
5 (9th overall). Jay Sean - Turn Off the Lights (135,347)
6 (14th overall). Dr. Dre ft. Eminem & Skylar Grey - I Need a Doctor (104,132)
7 (15th overall). Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne - Look At Me Now (97,912) 288)
8 (19th overall). Usher - More (90015)
9 (20th overall). Lil Wayne ft. Cory Gunz - 6 Foot 7 Foot (85,857)
10 (21th overall). Pitbull ft. T-Pain - Hey Baby (84,127)

The Refined Take:

1) Let me pause for a moment to take a wider scale analysis. After many started to dismiss urban music as being the weak link in the music industry 2010 was a monster year for hip-hop/r&b as Jay-Z, Eminem, B.o.B. and others dominated the weekly charts, largely pushing the pop princes and princesses of the world outside of the top ten. So far 2011 doesn't look nearly as good. It's far, far too early to push the panic button, but urban music needs another big hit soon or we'll be forced to watch Avril Lavigne in the top ten all year.

2) Just in case there's anyone who thinks I made up that "post-Grammy bump" theory to sound smart needs to look at that top ten. Four of the top six did Grammy performances, and the non-urban artists beating them on the overall charts? Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, etc., who also all did Grammy performances. Now all those people would be doing fine without the Grammys, but the awards definitely help. I know Wiz is pissed he couldn't get on stage - he would have sold one million overnight. (Actually, he's probably so high he doesn't care.)

3) Just because I know it's going to piss off a lot of RefinedHype Nation, I thought I should mention that Nicki's 'Pink Friday" has now sold over one million copies, making it one of the highest selling "hip-hop" albums in years. (Breathe people, breathe. Drink some chamomile tea, do some yoga. Getting that angry will only shorten your lifespan.)

4) Completely random, but Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child of Mine" is in the top 100...what? That song came out, are you ready for this, twenty-four years ago. Does anyone know why this is suddenly so popular? Anyone? Is it in some new commercial? Anyone?

5) This week's Mr. Irrelevant Award, given to the song that sits at the absolute bottom of the charts (the number 200 spot), goes to...Mike Posner and Lil Wayne's atrocious "Bow Chicka Wow Wow". Yes I think that song deserved to die and I hope it burns in hell! #RefinedHate