Michael Jackson hits No. 1 for the first time on the U.K.’s Official Albums Streaming chart as The Essential rockets from outside the top 10 to the summit. American singer Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009) performing at Wembley Stadium, London, on his ‘Dangerous’ World Tour, 30th July 1992. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)
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Michael Jackson spent much of his time in the spotlight known as one of the bestselling musicians of all time. He has continued to hold that distinction in the years following his death, but his music has not been consumed solely by those who head to record stores or iTunes.
In the past decade-plus, Jackson has also become a force on streaming platforms, proving that no matter how the music industry changes, the King of Pop’s work will always be among the best-performing. The impact of Jackson’s self-titled biopic Michael continues to be felt on charts all around the world, and in the U.K., the late superstar finally climbs to No. 1 on a tally he’s never ruled before.
Michael Jackson Scores His First Streaming Champion
Jackson scores his first champion on the Official Albums Streaming chart, the U.K.’s look at the most-played collections of any genre or length on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and others. The Essential, one of multiple compilations by Jackson, dances from No. 12 to No. 1, 205 weeks into its time on the roster.
Michael Jackson’s Five Top 10 Streaming Wins
Jackson reaches the summit on the Official Albums Streaming chart for the first time in his career, with one of his five top 10s. He has also found his way into that region with Number Ones, Bad, Thriller and Michael — Songs From the Motion Picture. That latter set became his second-highest-rising win earlier this month when it debuted at No. 3.
The Essential Beats Number Ones to No. 1
The Essential stood out as Jackson’s highest-rising success on the Official Albums Streaming chart before it hit No. 1. Two weeks ago, the compilation came close to ruling when it pushed all the way to No. 2.
Notably, The Essential beats Number Ones to the peak position, despite the fact that the latter has spent considerably longer on the tally. Number Ones will soon reach 400 frames as one of the top-streamed titles in the U.K.
Michael Jackson Charts Three Top 10 Albums at Once
Jackson fills three spaces within the Official Albums Streaming chart’s top 10 this week, and all of those releases hit new highs. As The Essential runs the show, Thriller vaults from No. 9 to No. 4, while Bad moonwalks from lucky No. 13 to No. 6.
Michael Jackson Scores the No. 1 Album in the U.K.
The excitement around the movie Michael once again aids many of Jackson’s projects in soaring on the U.K. charts. The Essential even once again ranks as the No. 1 release of any kind via any format in the U.K. Last week, the compilation appeared at No. 14, and now it is once again the most-consumed release in the country.
The Essential earns an eighth nonconsecutive stint at No. 1. In the summer of 2009, following Jackson’s passing, The Essential returned for the first time in years and quickly bolted to the peak position, where it held for seven consecutive periods. The Essential has not managed another turn in the spotlight in more than a decade and a half.
VARIOUS, VARIOUS – JUNE 25: Michael Jackson performs at the 12th Annual MTV Movie Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 7, 1995. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
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The Essential Climbs on Almost Every Chart This Week
The Essential appears on five rosters in the U.K., and it climbs on all but one of them. The compilation leads both the Official Albums and Official Albums Streaming charts, and simultaneously hits a new high on the Official Albums Sales tally. On that list, which is built entirely around purchases, The Essential shoots from No. 61 to No. 43.
The Essential does not return to No. 1 on the Official Physical Albums chart. Instead, it climbs from No. 87 to No. 62. It is only on the Official Album Downloads ranking where The Essential fails to either return to its previously-set peak or establish a new all-time high. The compilation holds at No. 20 after once surging all the way to No. 4.