A couple of weeks ago, Virgin EMI etched its name into the history books by becoming the first label with nine simultaneous singles from multiple artists in the Top 20 of the UK Official Singles Chart.
It’s just gone one better. On the latest Official Singles Chart, published on Friday (May 24), the Universal-owned label registered no less than ten singles in the Top 20 – again, a feat not achieved by any other label in the market’s history – with four in the Top 10.
The label’s new British star, Lewis Capaldi (pictured), was responsible for three of those Top 10 singles – Someone You Loved (No.3), Hold Me While You Wait (No.5) and Grace (No.9, up from No.28 in the prior week).
“For Virgin EMI to be able to again reach levels of success never previously achieved elsewhere in the history of record companies is bloody marvellous and a testament to the hustle, energy, focus and hutzpah of my well established and seriously in-form team in support of some cracking artists.”
Ted Cockle, Virgin EMI
Other Virgin EMI Top 20 entries came from British artists Hardy Caprio and Russ + Tion Wayne, in addition to stars such as Taylor Swift, Marshmello and Shawn Mendes.
Over on the UK’s Official Album Chart, Lewis Capaldi’s debut, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, opened with the biggest first week for an album in the UK this year.
Racking up 89.5k weekly sales equivalents – with 46% of them physical – the LP outsold the rest of the Top 10 albums on the chart combined.
“Nothing feels better than to see the talent that you love and are inspired by, go on to achieve major chart success,” Virgin EMI President Ted Cockle told MBW.
“For Virgin EMI to be able to again reach levels of success never previously achieved elsewhere in the history of record companies is bloody marvellous and a testament to the hustle, energy, focus and hutzpah of my well established and seriously in-form team in support of some cracking artists.”Music Business Worldwide
