Beyoncé's surprise album shatters iTunes records

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Beyoncé's decision to bypass the traditional music promotion model is paying off -- big time.

The 32-year-old pop diva sold a mind-blowing 828,773 copies of her self-titled surprise album in the three days since it unexpectedly debuted on iTunes, making it the popular platform's fastest selling album ever.

Billboard's Keith Caulfield noted that Beyoncé "is all but guaranteed a No. 1 debut" when the Billboard 200 chart comes out mid-week.

It also looks like Beyoncé is on track to surpass Taylor Swift's record for Red, which sold 1.2 million copies in its first week last year.

"I didn't want to release my music the way I've done it," Beyonce said of the new album. "I am bored with that. I feel like I am able to speak directly to my fans. There's so much that gets between the music, the artist and the fans. I felt like I didn't want anybody to give the message when my record is coming out. I just want this to come out when it's ready and from me to my fans."

Described as a "visual album," the 14-track collection is accompanied by 17 elaborate music videos. Forgoing the usual pre-promotion press tour, singles and release date announcements, Beyoncé dropped her album with no forewarning last Friday at midnight.

[CNN, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard]