WHAT HAPPENED? ESTELLE'S U.S. SALES SUFFER AFTER ITUNES REMOVAL!!

British singer/rapper ESTELLE has suffered a massive blow to the U.S. sales of her hit single AMERICAN BOY, after record label executives removed her album SHINE from digital download service iTunes. The move by the star's bosses at Warner Music Group was aimed at forcing fans into record stores to purchase a CD version of the album - released earlier this year (08) - instead of individual songs. But American Boy has now slipped down the U.S. Billboard singles chart, falling from 11 to number 37 after her LP was made unavailable on the iTunes website.

The Kanye West-featured track, which topped the charts in both the U.S. and U.K. when it was released, has also taken a blow on the Billboard download chart, plummeting from number six to 59 in a matter of days. A Warner spokesman tells the Wall Street Journal the move was made as part of a broad range of strategies "uniquely tailored to each artist and their fanbase in an effort to optimise revenues and promote long-term artist development". Estelle's representative has yet to comment on the reports.

Bad move Warner! My fave record label too. I-Tunes have never sold a CD in their lives but are closing in on $8 billion in sales this Christmas. This digital download phenomenom is driving labels nuts but I personally feel they should have her album in both places. Estelle is performing here agin in October and I am trying to interview her this time as you know the other two times, my schedule clashed!.