Can Jay-Z, Beyonce buck post-wedding sales slide?
Mariel Concepcion

NEW YORK—As Jay-Z and Beyonce celebrate their first week of marriage, they may want to consider that power marriages in the music industry can hurt record sales. Several other music husband-and-wife teams that preceded the rap/R&B mainstays to the altar have seen mixed post-marriage sales numbers.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony both saw a decrease in album sales after they exchanged vows on June 5, 2004. Prior to their union, Lopez released three albums, which have sold a combined 8.1 million in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Lopez’s post-wedding 2005 album, “Rebirth,” has sold 731,000 copies, while a pair of 2007 albums, “Como Ama Una Mujer” and “Brave,” fell to 200,000 and 154,000, respectively.
Anthony released seven albums between 1994 and early 2004, with combined sales of 2.5 million. His biggest selling album to date is his 2002 crossover set “Mended,” which has moved 680,000 units. His first post-wedding album, “Sigo Siendo Yo,” released in 2006, has moved 151,000 copies to date, while his 2007 album, “El Cantante,” has sold 183,000. Rapper Nas and R&B singer Kelis have also seen a sales decline since their January 8, 2005, wedding. Nas’ eight pre-marriage releases have sold a combined 11.3 million copies, while Kelis’ two albums released before 2005 add up to 785,000. Post marriage, Nas has sold 755,000 of 2006’s “Hip Hop Is Dead,” while Kelis has moved 157,000 with “Kelis Was Here,” released in 2006 as well.
But country stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, whose joint tour was the 8th highest grossing trek of 2007, have seen steady sales, and in some areas even a boost since they married on October 6, 1996. Hill’s two albums released prior to marrying McGraw have sold a combined 3.6 million copies. McGraw’s three pre-marriage albums have sold 9.3 million. Still, while McGraw’s biggest selling album is his 1994 release, “Not a Moment Too Soon,” with 6 million copies sold, Hill’s top seller is “Breathe,” with 6.5 million copies, which was released three years after her marriage to McGraw.