Singles Artists vs Albums Artists: A BWU Investigation (Introduction)

Never before has the music industry been in so much peril.

Album sales are drastically lower than in the past, and even the rapid increase in digital sales isn't making up for the difference. Also, some of the industry's biggest artists are abandoning labels altogether for more revolutionary deals (Madonna and Live Nation, for example). As a result, many record companies are forced to downsize and reconfigure their business plans in order to stay afloat. These changes raise a few questions about the industry's current structure. One of the most important is, which type of artist is more valuable: an artist who can score multiple top 10 singles or an artist who can score multiple top 10 albums?

This series of posts will examine the significance of both types of artist. Recent music history will be delved into, especially 2000, where album sales were at their peak. Artists themselves will also be explored, how their single and album sales compare and contrast.

I hope you guys enjoy this BWU Investigation Special!