Usher: Are Diminishing Sales a Sign of the Digital Age?

My Opinion on this article about Usher is the marriage, also how he fired his Mom from management! That's just

something you should'nt do. That's why he's probably having problems with record sales from his women fans. No respect loss from me Usher keep doing your thang. On the flip side make good music and sales will follow.

Digital sales and other avenues of social networking along with a variety of advanced technology is still developing and shaping digital sales. Promotion is a must and all facets must be used and even the creative ones including social networking. Understanding the fans need for quality and thought provoking content in music is very important. The economy does affect sales and the content has to be inspirational and accessible enough to relate to the fans and help them identify with its contents that they will want to buy on the digital networks which, in turn, boost digital sales. Sincerely, Tracy Woody at http://www.reverbnation.com/tracywoody

I believe with the R&B artist trying to cross over to other markets they sometimes lose themselves. I feel that is what happened in this case. I understand he is not the same little boy that had that smooth young voice when he first came out, but you still have to realize as an artist "what made my fans like me when I first started out" Stay true to yourself even when times change. R&B is dying off because Hip Hop and Pop as taken over the game more so than ever, so we need that soul back that Usher had females melting at the sound of his voice. IDK, Me as an Usher fan lost a little respect for his music. And as far as the digital age, it does hurt because now we can listen to the whole CD and make our decisions on if we like it or not for free.

Hello, I would like to make a comment:
You've mention alot of could it be... It could be several reasons why, I still care alot for Usher. but I do feel that he had lost his audience when he was at his peak; he was at the top of the charts I do admit. He could of had any woman in the world and I am quite sure he did. As for us ladies when Usher sung and dance we were excited. We wanted him only because we could not have him. The day he said I do; He had losted us; I feel very sorry for him because with Drake,and Chris Brown in the picture the Thrill for Mr. Usher is gone. The only way we can show him how we feel is in poor sales.. But I still love my USHER.

It's easier to steal music than buy it...of course sales are going to diminish. Just as when you had the problem of getting your album after purchase, it was easier and faster to obtain a copy from other sources. Promotion is a key factor in selling a product as it is with anything, but if it is easily obtainable without incurring the cost, you're going to get it with out paying. Thats human nature

I wouldn't say Usher has lost his swagger toward women of today. The truth of matter; Usher has been a center of light from day one. In the early 90's women fallen for him in a great way. I think Usher has live out a great fame. However I'm a firm believer of once you gain fans you'll always be known. Rather fans come in for the good or bad. A lot of talk is mention in re guards to his marriage. I disagree. Honesty, look at many talents of today. They do a lot of crazy things. They degrade women, they have been locked up. I can go on for reasons. What I have notice; fans partake in a lot of the madness. They keep up with the news. They text, they tweet, they blog; they do everything to let it be known of the talent down fall. What type of people do we call them? I think rather sales go up or down, it doesn't always reflect on the talent's actions. The generation has change a lot. You have many talent that is coming into the industry with more than just a image. They have a plan. They research, they learn some of the many reasons to why sales can reflect. A lot of people live for the ones whom they consider to be the best. We have a lot of hard knockers. No matter how much problems they bring, some still manage to maintain a steady sale. Why? The real people that have partake in the talent's life for the good keeps the sales going. You ask me, the youth are the ones that's killing it right now. Hands down!

I'm sure the drop in sales is due to quality of music. I personally think that Indie artist are the future of the music industry. The business side of the industry got way to involved in the artistic side of it. You need both to survive but when one dominates the other you come up with a poor mix and everyone suffers. The business side should stay business and the artistic side should stay artistic. It has to be the correct mix to work! I can remember when the music industry was taking another dive right before Michael Jackson introduced the world to Thriller! His creativity along with the proper mix of business gave the industry that AED it needed to come back to life !
Indie artist are untainted with their creativity all they lack is the proper business side to be pushed to the top. Right now in the industry literally you don't have to have talent to make it... and it should NEVER be that way! This will always put a damper on the industry.

When it comes to buying into any artist we need a story. Something to feel we are a part of. These days majority of R&B artists sound the same, while looking at the artist that are selling they have the X factor that separates them from everybody else. If we feel we are just being sold to and don't feel attached then we won't be compelled to buy. With confessions Usher hit a nerve. As an artist you always have to grow.

Promotion and marketing is very important for a having successful project. Internet has changed the game with promotion, marketing, and sales.

Cory Penn
Mighty Breakthrough Entertainment
www.kingdomtakeovercd.com

As an artist, I feel as though diminishing sales are due to a number of issues. Poor marketing, poor promotion, and really who you know all play a part. But a drop in album sales start even before your album is released. You have to worry about shady engineers now. Often times, these engineers will leak a song or even the whole album via the internet before your anticipated release date. We all know that viral and p2p (peer to peer) sharing has increasingly grown over the years. The digital age has definitely played a huge part in the demise of album sales. Not that I agree with it at all but why would anyone want to go out and purchase a musical work if they can simply download it, FOR FREE on or before the anticipated date? This is just my opinion and others may feel different but, the digital age has been an enemy of album sales for years now.

As an Indie company and artist (Donta Deisel), Most of all the comments are on point. I will only add that major labels have gotten out of the habbit of street team promo. Connecting with the customer. In addition, no one has elevated the way grass root marketing can be achieved. If artist want to sell their music, they must be more accessible to the public. Too much swag has poluted the game. CHUBB ROCK said "Sign an autograph ya might make a new friend."(Treat'em Right). Just because you spend millions to get your record spinned on radio, doesnt mean for you to ignore the fans who are buying the music. A good marketing campaign consists on the artist being mobile.