Billboard Changes Up Charts to Reflect Catalog Titles, Folk Music

Recent changes to Billboard charts will soon give both Michael Jackson and Ani DiFranco some overdue recognition.

As announced recently, the Billboard 200 charts will soon include top-selling albums regardless of release date, therefore including catalog recordings as well as current releases. Since 1991, the Billboard 200 had only reflected albums released over the past 18 months and with a chart-placing single on the radio.

Had this change been made sooner, the charts would have accounted for the dramatic upswing of Michael Jackson record sales following his death. Reuters even figured that his Number Ones would have even ranked at No. 13 last week, the highest of 11 Top 100 and 35 overall catalog titles, including the Beatles’ digitally remastered catalog.

Billboard also plans to account for musicians like Ani DiFranco, Monsters of Folk and Rosanne Cash in its new Folk Albums chart, ranking the 15 top-selling artists who release traditional folk and/or acoustic-based music.

“Billboard’s Folk Albums chart will reflect retail activity of a niche genre with a rich history,” said Gary Trust, Billboard chart manager, in a statement. “Folk artists are among the most insightful songwriters and intimate storytellers in music, and we’re proud to offer a chart highlighting their sales achievements.”

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