Recently changed chart rules helped Gnarls Barkley’s new single “Crazy” hit the top of the UK’s single chart, making history in the process.
The song is the first Internet single to reach #1 on the UK singles chart without selling any physical copies.
Gnarls Barkley consists of Goodie Mob member Cee-Lo and DJ Danger Mouse.
The single was first released on the Internet for download after being promoted on a popular Radio 1 show hosted by Zane Lowe.
“Crazy” was downloaded over 31,000 downloads a times and sent the former #1 song, “So Sick”by Ne-Yo to the number two position.
“This not only represents a watershed in how the charts are compiled, but shows that legal downloads have come of age,” HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said in a statement. “Downloads have given the singles market a massive boost and retailers such as HMV are now selling more and more through their digital music services.”
Danger Mouse received critical acclaim for mixing Jay-Z’s Black Album with The Beatles’ White Album to produce the Grey Album.
Previously, UK’s music business only counted downloaded sales if the single was available in stores.
The rules were recently changed to count downloads and now, as long as copies hit stores the following week, downloads are counted as sales.
“We are the perfect combination,” Cee-Lo told AllHipHop.com shortly after the Gnarls Barkley project was announced. “This album is one of the best platforms for me to express all of me. I get to expand my range and hit all categories from Urban, Crossover, Pop and Rock & Roll.”
Gnarls Barkley will perform two show at the Wireless Festival this June in the UK.