Abrupt end to Australian hit for Mariah
A surprise debut at No.3. Two months in the Top 5. Gold certification. And then... deleted by record label? This is how things unfolded for the most successful single of Busta Rhyme's career, and Mariah Carey's biggest hit in years. "I Know What You Want" was released amidst little hype and little airplay. Up against music heavyweights Delta Goodrem and Christina Aguilera, the single shocked many by debuting at No.3 on the Australian Recording Industry Association singles chart. More surprising was the fact it stayed there for a month, and remained in the top 5 for another.
However three weeks ago BMG Australia, Busta's regional label, decided to delete the single. No more copies were to be manufactured and copies already in stores would be the last available for sale. Initially surplus stock meant it managed to hang onto the top 10 for a ninth week. But last week it fell to No.19. And it now sits in its eleventh week at No.27.
Racking up gold sales in a matter of weeks, there was no doubt that this single would've become Busta's first, and Mariah's eighth platinum selling single in Australia. That can now not happen. The label has sacrificed further singles sales in a bid to boost Busta's album. The sad fact for them though is that "Mariah Carey's Greatest Hits" is still selling more copies two years after its release than Busta's latest album, "It Ain't Safe No More".
Unfortunately it was also another missed opportunity for Mariah, as Universal Music Australia didn't capitalise on the success of the hit single by re-releasing "Charmbracelet" as it has been in Asia. Just another mishap in a shambles of promotion and marketing strategies. (Mariah Downunder Forums)
|
