By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Kendrick Lamar and his team were pissed when his album ended up being released on iTunes well over a week before the release date they agreed to, however the album is getting lots of praise on social media and now it’s pretty clear that the sales will be phenomenal.
Although early projections should change drastically due to the way the album was released, Hits Daily Double says the Compton emcee should see first week sales of over 300K not including streams:
Physical copies of Kendrick Lamar’s How to Pimp a Butterfly are just now arriving in many stores, making today’s projections somewhat tenuous; those projections are likely to grow throughout the week. Here are this week’s key debuts, with both Sales Plus Streaming (SPS) numbers first, followed by albums:
Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) 350-375k SPS (300-325k albums)
K Dot also broke a record on Spotify making his album the first new album to hit 9.6 million streams in one day.
In related news, Kendrick says he now feels like he’s somewhat of a preacher to his fans. He tells The New York Times:
“[For many fans], I’m the closest thing to a preacher that they have. I know that from being on tour — kids are living by my music. My word will never be as strong as God’s word. All I am is just a vessel, doing his work.
“You know the songs that are out — we all love these songs,” Kendrick says. “They sell a lot of singles and make these record labels a lot of money. But those ‘really living’ in the streets don’t want to hear boasts about murder and drug dealing. They want to get away from that. If it comes across as just a game all the time, the kids are going to think it’s just a game.
“From my perspective, I can only give you the good with the bad. It’s bigger than a responsibility, it’s a calling.”
The album is fire.
I think he will end up selling half a million. Just got a feeling.
Me too. 🙂
I listened to it a few times and I’m still not feeling it. But what the f-ck is up with this quote though? Ain’t nobody asking him to be no damn super hero. Just make good music and you’ll be good.
I’m starting to get Kanye teas from Kendrick. And it worries me.
You should be getting Kanye teas from him because they are a lot alike. Talented hypocrites.
True but at least Kendrick is still with the same girl he was with from high school. I give him credit for that.
give him a few more years lol
Well both of them are Gemini’s.
lmao me too
He still ain’t getting those Drake numbers I see.
Oh he will. They said the numbers are expected to grow by a lot. Drake is going to be in his feelings when it happens too. That was always the one thing he could throw in Kendrick’s face and well that won’t be the case anymore. LOL.
Exactly. Add that to the fact Kendrick has 2 Grammys now and Drake just has 1. I like Drake but Kendrick is doing well for himself too.
Lmao those were sympathy grammys.
Maybe but they are Grammys regardless. You know Kendrick and Drake can win at the same time, right?
His ego has gotten big.
agreed
I haven’t heard it yet but I’m getting mixed results from people either people really like it or they not feeling it. Even though Kendrick has said some stuff that I disagree with I wish him the best and hope his album does good.
The album is not good. I was disappointed and it put me in a very sad mood. I will continue to bump his last album though.
I knew he would slay. I’m not feeling that interview though. He’s becoming one of those people who makes me nervous every time he opens up his mouth to talk. He tries too hard to sound deep.
I just wanted to remind y’all Empire comes on at 8 tonight!!!! Don’t forget!!!!
I forgot. I missed the first half. Sigh.
Talk about crazy. I still can’t wrap my mind around everything that happened.
Another classic album. I always knew the homie would become big and leave a lasting imprint in the game.
Love the album.
Is it just me, or did anyone else get a douchebaggy-a-sholery vibe from that interview? I don’t want someone with a Messiah complex *cough Kanye cough*….just put out good music, and shut the hell up.
oh great another kanye smfh
I love Kendricks music. When I first listened to his then first album I immediately heard the message he was delivering. I thought that was amazing! At the same time it wasn’t mushed in your face about being saved and Christian. I think his music is very well crafted.
I can’t say I love this album. Maybe it will grow on me. #shrugs
king kendrick
I’m not at all disappointed by his album or this interview. I think we are all very well-educated on here with the ability to speak and think for ourselves. That said, we hear music for what it is and we enjoy it. For others? He very well may be that vessel that sparks a new way of thinking, a different way of seeing things, or dare I say it, interest in spirituality and social issues. Can he come off as cocky? Absolutely! But in listening to his music before he dropped albums, he’s always had confidence in what he does, so that’s nothing new in my opinion. Anywho, I really hope this album does well.
He’s going to sell way more than 300,000 when those physical copies hit the stores.