Sam Smith,the only million seller in UK & US for 2014

Sam Smith has become the only artist in the world to score a million-selling album in both the UK and the US during 2014, the Official Charts Company confirms today.

Smith's In The Lonely Hour passed the 1 million landmark in the UK during the past 24 hours, making it only the second artist album to reach the landmark this side of the Atlantic.

The confirmation comes 24 hours after his album was confirmed a million-seller in the United States, by Nielsen Music.

Sam told OfficialCharts.com: "OFFICIALLY sold 1 MILLION copies of In The Lonely Hour! To say I am ecstatic is a huge understatement. Thank you so much to every single person who has purchased my album."

By Midnight last night, In The Lonely Hour had sold 1.007 million copies (based on Official Charts data), making it only the second artist album to achieve the feat in the UK this year, after Ed Sheeran's X hit the milestone at the end of November. In the US, Only Sam Smith, Taylor Swift and the Frozen soundtrack have passed the million-mark this year, according to Nielsen Music.

The success of Smith and Sheeran also makes 2014 the first year since 2011 when more than one album has passed 1 million sales in the UK ' in 2011, Adele's 21 and 19, Michael Buble's Christmas and Bruno Mars' Doo-Wops & Hooligans all passed 1 million sales.

In The Lonely Hour debuted Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart in May and June this year with impressive first-week sales of 102,000. It spent a second week at the top returning for a further fortnight 12 weeks later.

The record has also been a regular feature at the top end of the chart, having spent just one week outside the Top 5 since its release.

Sam's album has also spawned a string of successful singles, including Number 1s Money On My Mind and Stay With Me, as well as Top 10s I'm Not The Only One (Number 3) and Like I Can (9). To date, To date, tracks downloaded from his album total 2.48 million, have been streamed 87 million times and viewed on video streaming sites in the UK 48 million times.

Have Your Say

Ron heads to Mello FM with Barry G

It is unclear what the next move of influential disc jockey Ron Muschette, who recently resigned from Irie FM, will be, but according to his Facebook page, it appears he will still be on radio.

Sources have told THE news team that the disc jockey, born Deron Muschette, will be heading to western Jamaica radio station Mello FM, where he is to be slotted in between popular hosts Richie B and Barry G.

However, when the station was contacted yesterday, a representative declined to comment on the move.

"I cannot comment. I am not at liberty to comment on that, sorry," she said.

A post to the disc jockey's wall on Facebook hinted at him possibly remaining on the airwaves, but it gave no indication as to what this could mean.

expressed sadness

"Thursday [today] I will be releasing a video through my blog site of why I left Irie FM and where my next stop will be. You will still be hearing my voice over your airwaves and will be smiling for many years to come," the post said on Muschette's wall.

Many fans have also expressed sadness at the resignation of the disc jock and have posted questions of the decision he made to leave the Ocho Rios - based radio station.

Muschette, who is best known as the host of the leading morning programme 'Wake-Up Call', which occupies the 6 a.m.to 10 a.m. weekday slot, decided it was time to move on to greater heights.

"I'm grateful for my time at Irie Fm and for all the wonderful experiences it brought. I was able to travel the world and be recognised for my talent. That is an inspiration in itself and I will be forever thankful," Muschette said in a media release. Muschette began working at Irie FM in 1999.

TEFLON SAYS I-OCTANE MUST RESPECT HIS MUSICAL ELDERS

Recording Artiste Teflon says fellow artist I-Octane needs to be mindful and pay respect to artistes who have been in the industry before him.

 

Teflon was referring to an incident where it is alleged, he and Sizzla had to chase I-Octane off stage at the West Kingston Jamboree, as he tried to perform as the show was being ended.

 

Teflon states that while it might have been a case of misunderstanding, I-Octane needed to respect his senior counterparts.