Monopoly of Music: Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group (UMG) is breaking records again! This week on the Billboard 200 album chart, it has been reported that the major music company has a stunning nine out of the top 10 albums on the latest tally.

For the first time in nearly five years, since the company has claimed such an achievement, dating back to the Nov. 30, 2013 chart, when UMG also attained nine of the top 10. On the new Billboard 200, UMG stands high by Carrie Underwood's No. 1 debut Cry Pretty, which also produced the biggest week for an album by a female artist in 2018.

UMG is also at Nos. 2-4 and 6-10 with: Eminem's Kamikaze (No. 2), 6LACK's East Atlanta Love Letter (a debut at No. 3), Drake's Scorpion (No. 4), Post Malone's Beerbongs & Bentleys (No. 6), Ariana Grande's Sweetener (No. 7), Paul McCartney's Egypt Station (No. 8), Nicki Minaj's Queen (No. 9) and Juice WRLD's Goodbye & Good Riddance (No. 10). Travis Scott's Astroworld, is the only album in the top 10 not distributed by UMG at No. 5.

The last time UMG hit nine of the Top 10, in 2013, two of the artists from this week were also on the list: Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP 2 was at No. 2 and Drake's Nothing Was The Same was at No. 9, while Lady Gaga's Artpop led the chart at No. 1.

UMG's power to produce nearly nine of the top 10 marks another accomplishment for the company in 2018; back on the April 14-dated chart, the company held eight of the top 10. They’ve reemerged to show who’s the monopoly in this music business.

You go UMG!