Update: Slightly more optimistic than Hits Daily Double, Billboard projects that Pharrell’s “G I R L” will move 90-110K copies in its opening week. Hits had previously estimated a debut in the 85-95,000 range.
Regardless of which proves right, there is no denying the album is a flop. Pharrell’s 2006 album “In My Mind,” which came at a time when he was nowhere near as hot in the pop music sphere as he is now, moved 142,000 copies in its first week.
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Like Lil Wayne ahead of “Tha Carter III,” Pharrell Williams has been a positively unavoidable presence at mainstream radio.
Unlike Lil Wayne’s album, Pharrell’s “G I R L” will not move one million copies in its first week.
The common ingredient behind smash hits “Blurred Lines,” “Get Lucky” and “Happy,” Williams approached the release of his new album “G I R L” as one of the hottest acts in popular music.
Unfortunately, his album has been unable to absorb any of that heat. According to Hits Daily Double, “G I R L” is pacing to flop with a debut sales total of just 85-95,000.
Far below even conservative expectations, the count will not even be enough to give Williams the strongest debut, let alone a weekly number one. Rick Ross’ new “Mastermind” is tracking to move a far stronger 145-160,000.