STACKING UP SALES

Total album and single sales of CDs and cassettes for the week ended May 15, compared to week-ago and year-ago levels, in millions of units:

Albums Singles Latest week 9.6 1.8 Week-ago 10.1 1.8 Year-ago 8.1 1.8

Atop the Charts

Monthly record company market share as of April, based on units sold. This is an indicator of music company performance.

MARKET SHARE

Total Top-selling Rank Distributor share Albums Singles album 1 WEA 21.08% 20.77% 22.80% ‘The Crow’ 2 Sony 16.26% 17.08% 11.85% Division Bell 3 BMG 14.36% 12.60% 23.89% Sign 4 CEMA 13.05% 13.51% 10.55% Not a Moment Too Soon 5 UNI 11.03% 11.22% 10.02% Read My Mind 6 PolyGram 10.53% 10.87% 8.70% Superunknown

Rank Artist 1 Various 2 Pink Floyd 3 Ace of Base 4 Tim McGraw 5 Reba McEntire 6 Soundgarden

Hits Magazine Tip of the Week

The ink is almost dry on a deal that would have the massively successful Russell Simmons-owned Def Jam record label moving from Sony to PolyGram. Under the agreement, PolyGram would distribute, market and promote the RAL/Def Jam roster, which includes such big-selling rap acts as LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Onyx. The first priority will be the album from newcomer Warren G., who already has a hit single from the “Above the Rim” soundtrack. Huge sales for that debut project are predicted.

Note: Hits magazine is a weekly music industry trade publication.

Source: Soundscan Inc.