$67 Million In Label Profit And Other Staggering Numbers That Adele's '21' Delivered On

posted in: Music News • Pop • Rock

It goes without saying that Adele’s sophomore release 21 was a mammoth success. There was a time that you couldn’t walk down the street without hearing “Someone Like You” playing from a nearby hipster coffeeshop while “Set Fire To The Rain” was blaring from the window of the mom taking her kids to soccer practice. Hey, it is possible that scenario actually happened at some point, somewhere.

But thanks to The Sunday Times in London we have more insight into 21’s financials. There are some big, impressive numbers in here folks. Like $67 million, the profit that Adele’s label XL Recordings made in 2011 alone. So that’s what an album that spent 24 weeks atop the Billboard album chart will get you these days.

$67 million isn’t the only head spinning number in the report. All in all, 21 spent 79 weeks in the top 10 of the album chart and sold 18 million copies worldwide last year. And 21 is still selling ok; the album has sold an additional 7 million copies in the past year, with the album nearing diamond status in the US. (We yanks love our Adele.) And primarily on the strength of 21, XL’s revenue was up 400% in 2011.

So what is the label doing to celebrate? Popping the champagne? Breaking out the caviar? Oh wait, what? Martin Mills, head of XL’s parent company Beggars Group, says that they are going to, “invest in [their] future?” C’mon man, since when has the music industry been about responsible investment and proper financial management? Party pooper.

If you like Adele then check out OurStage artist Kaleigh Baker.

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