Xscape's songs have 10 million streams each simply because it had a big hit single with LNFSG and it actually came out in the streaming era.
Each individual song of Beyonce's latest album for example is streamed at least 20 million times, some well over 100 million. Adele does even better, all songs have a minimum of 50 million streams.
well, it's not really fair to compare Xscape's streaming numbers to Beyonce or Adele who are two of the biggest artists of the century and who both have current albums out. Maybe I'm misinterpreting your point here though.
So Xscapes numbers aren't that special, after all it took the album 8 years for all tracks to go 10 million +
Whew, idk man, we definitely just have a different way of seeing things (but we already know this
). Here's how I see it:
1) Xscape is posthumous so the primary audience is hardcore MJ fans, as well as fans who feel comfortable with posthumous releases (which definitely isn't all). There's only so much
really effective promo that can happen given that MJ is not around to promote it himself.
and
2) It came after Michael and all the fake tracks controversy, which I can only imagine (truly, since I wasn't a fan then, imagining is my only real option) impacted enthusiasm and support for Xscape right from the start. When I first became a fan and went to Reddit for information, I was repeatedly told by fans to not even bother with Michael or Xscape. I actually never intended on even listening to either album at first, but then I stumbled upon Loving You on YouTube and my life was changed forever lol.
Anyway, given the context I think having 10 million+ streams on every song is
amazing. But I'm me, so of course I do lol.
EDIT 2 Hold My Hand was at 82 million as of 1 May 2021 and is now at 98 million. But it is streamed more than earth song so one would think it is more popular but it isn't. It is just ahead because it was released in the streaming era. Earth song for example gained 24 million streams compared to hold my hands's 16 million in the exact same period. So eventually it will surpass hold my hand.
Yeah, that's wild. It just shows too how streaming numbers don't always present the popularity or notoriety of a song, or even an artist. For example, there are indie artists who have 1-2 songs with massive numbers because they are added to official Spotify playlists, but the actual artist is barely known and their discography is unexplored. In fact, I often think about how few artists I love enough to explore their whole discography, or even go beyond a single album.
But this is where I think MJ shines. His music is SO good. It has such a magical and enticing quality to it. Obviously, not everyone thinks so, but I think his record speaks for itself. He has mass appeal because he's just objectively really good. What he's really up against now with new generations especially (beyond the obvious, which we don't need to get into here) is his legacy of being the 80s "King of Pop" and people thinking they already know what he's all about. I see this all the time on Twitter when people act like all he did was make Thriller. I actually saw someone on Twitter recently say MJ was an overrated dancer because all he did was moonwalk. He was eaten alive in the comments, but still. If people think they already know everything MJ has to offer without ever exploring him, they won't explore him. So to have Xscape trend and show people a side of him they don't know, that helps combat all of that.
Strangely enough it gets streamed more than the likes of Blood on the dancefloor, Jam or Liberian Girl though...
that is INSANE!
EDIT 3 On 1 May 2021 Heaven can wait wasn't even in MJ's top 100 most streamed songs. Nr 100 "Free" had approximately 3 million streams. Now 1,5 years later "Heaven Can Wait" is at 26 million streams and it jumped from nowhere to the top 50 of MJ's all time most streamed songs. Thank you tiktok!
That really is so cool
I heard J say it. The Eagles numbers are made up. Great album but Geffen lies. Didn’t they magically add some fake mail cassette numbers crap numbers from 30 years ago. SMH
both versions. It looks like it will break the 100 million barrier in the next 6 months.