Music Power Rankings: Adele, Ne-Yo and Barack Obama (?) make the list
Plus, the most powerful man in show business
President Barack Obama
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1) Adele: In the never-ending story of “21,” the album celebrates its one-year anniversary nestled at No. 1 on the U.K. charts and is only four weeks away in the U.S. from the most weeks at No. 1 in SoundScan history. In other news, Adele becomes the top baby name of 2012.
2) President Obama: After he sang a portion of Al Green’s classic “Let’s Stay Together” at a Jan. 19 fundraiser, sales of the song skyrocketed 490%. He could singlehandedly save the music business if he opened every public engagement with a song.
3) Diddy: According to Broadcast & Cable he is launching Revolt, a music-themed cable network, which will bow on 12/12/12. Will Danity Kane reform for the launch?
4) Etta James: Regrettably and very sadly, dead. However, her music lives beautifully on as her album sales rise 378% following her death. A voice as wondrous as hers can never be silenced.
5) Cher: Not dead.
6) Irving Azoff: He tops Billboard’s list of the Power 100. As if there were any doubt.
7) Vevo: Will the music video channel leave YouTube for Facebook? All hail Mark Zuckerberg. Can’t wait to see what happens with that IPO.
8) iTunes: Sales in 2011 rose a staggering 55% to $6 billion...one 99 cent download at a time.
9) Ne-Yo: He becomes the latest artist to want to run things from the other side of the desk. In addition to switching from Island Def Jam as a recording artist, he has moved his Compound Entertainment to Motown, where he will now be senior VP of A&R. That’s Mr. Ne-Yo to you.
10) Bruce Springsteen: Ticket demand for his “Wrecking Ball” tour wrecked TicketMaster’s website, locking out fans trying to purchase tickets. Forever and always The Boss.
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About This Blog
Melinda Newman is the former West Coast Bureau Chief for Billboard Magazine with more than 15 years of experience in the music industry. She covers music and entertainment for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Associated Press, MSN, AOL and other outlets. Recent interviews include Taylor Swift, Pink, Brad Paisley, Foo Fighters, Jonas Bros. and Snow Patrol.
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