First it was Target. Now it's Amazon. Beyonce's new self-titled album continues to be an issue for retailers who seem to be very unhappy about the exclusive release of her visual album through iTunes.
According to Billboard, Amazon has opted to sell MP3 versions of Beyonce's album, but will not stock physical copies of the effort.
"Moreover, while Amazon is carrying the Beyonce MP3 in its store, it does not appear to be supporting the album with any prime real estate. The only way the album is visible if shoppers search for it and will see that the album is there digitally for $15.99," Billboard reported earlier this week. "Amazon is reportedly still steaming that Sony Music Entertainment handed down an edict that Amazon, or any other retailer for that matter, couldn't pre-sell the Beyonce title. Pre-sales of new titles has proven to be an effective marketing tool and the Sony edict was interpreted as further protecting the iTunes exclusive window."
In related news, Beyonce has opened up about why she chose to release "I Been On" and "Bow Down" earlier this year — two songs that shocked many a listener.
"It was the Beyoncé that was angry, it was the Beyoncé that felt the need to defend herself and if the song never comes out – okay, I said it! And I listened to it after I finished and I said ‘this is hot! Imma put it out," Beyonce shared when discussing her self-titled album recently. "Anyone who says that is disrespectful – just imagine the person that hates you, imagine the person that doesn’t believe in you and look in the mirror and say ‘bow down, bitch!’ I guarantee you feel gansta! So listen to the song from that point of view if you didn’t like it before."
"Beyonce" debuted atop the Billboard 200 last week with over 600,000 copies sold (all digital).
