Black Eyed Peas Make It A Record Breaking Million

22/06/2010

I Gotta Feeling, the number one smash hit single from the irrepressible Black Eyed Peas has become the first ever million-selling download.

Official Charts Company figures reveal that the single passed the million-selling mark on Saturday 19th June.  The Official Charts Company can also confirm that no other group has sold more single track downloads in UK chart history (some 3.3 million) when sales of their entire digital tracks catalogue are combined.

The feat marks yet another milestone for Black Eyed Peas who have notched up eleven Top 10 singles (including four number ones), and three Top 5 albums in the UK over the course of their career (see below for full list).  They have sold some 35 million albums and 41 million singles worldwide.

Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot says:
“Many congratulations to the Black Eyed Peas for an incredible achievement which is all the more impressive for being a record which can never be taken away from them. Black Eyed Peas will forever be able to state that they scored the UK's first million-selling download and I Gotta Feeling is now firmly established as one of the defining tunes of our time.
"Their landmark also represents a coming of age for digital downloading, six years after music downloading moved into the UK mainstream in 2004 through the launch of services including 7Digital, iTunes and MyCokeMusic - and underlines the enduring, and growing, popularity of legitimate digital music today."
Black Eyed Peas renowned front man and co-founder will.i.am says:
 "Wow!!! out of all the artist in the world??? I had a feeling I was supposed to move to the U.K"
Black Eyed Peas singer, Fergie says:
"Its exhilarating to know we are so connected to our Peabodies. Hopefully the good vibes form that song will continue to brighten people's lives.
Earlier this month, I Gotta Feeling surpassed the million-selling mark with physical and digital formats combined paving the way for Black Eyed Peas to join a select club of artists who can claim million-selling status in the UK.
Official Charts Company figures show that less than 1% of all Top 40 singles in chart history go on to break the million-selling mark.

Black Eyed Peas UK Hit Singles:
Year  Title                                     Peak Position
2003  Where Is The Love                       1
2003  Shut Up                                       2
2004  Hey Mama                                   6
2005  Don’t Phunk With My Heart            3
2005  Don’t Lie                                     6
2005  My Humps                                   3
2006  Pump It                                       3
2006  Mas Que Nada                             6
2009  Boom Boom Pow                          1
2009  I Gotta Feeling                             1
2009  Meet Me Halfway                          1

Black Eyed Peas UK Hit Albums:
Year  Title                                     Peak Position
2003  Elephunk                                    3
2004  Monkey Business                         4
2009  The End                                      3

Notes to Editors:

1.   Chart information quoted from this release must be credited to The Official Charts Company

2.  The Official Charts Company (OCC) is a joint venture between record labels’ body the BPI and ERA, the Entertainment Retailers Association.   The OCC is responsible for the commissioning, marketing, distribution and management of the UK’s industry standard music and video charts and is endorsed by the BVA (British Video Association).

3. The Official Charts Company compiles its charts from sales information gathered across all key distribution (or entertainment) channels including all major high street retail chains, independent stores, supermarkets, mail order internet retailers and digital music service providers. This market research sample equates to 99% of the total UK Singles market; 98% of the total UK Albums market and 90% of the total UK DVD market.

For further information contact:
Amy Howard, Official Charts Company.
T: 01480 860 530  M. 07768 891 264
E: amy@theofficialcharts.com
W:  www.theofficialcharts.com
The Official Chart Update with Greg James, 3.30pm-4pm, BBC Radio 1
The Chart Show with Reggie Yates, Sunday 4pm-7pm, BBC Radio 1.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/

ENDs.

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