Sam Smith's rise from virtual unknown early in 2014 to a mega-hit artist on both sides of the Atlantic elevates him to the level of genuine musical phenomenon.
Smith's debut album, "In The Lonely Hour," has sold more than one million copies in both the U.K. and the U.S. --making the 22-year-old the only artist in the world to accomplish that remarkable feat this year, reports The Independent.
"In The Lonely Hour" reached the impressive one million sales mark in the U.K. by midnight Dec. 17, just 24 hours after hitting the one million mark in the U.S.
"Officially sold one million copies of 'In The Lonely Hour!' To say I am ecstatic is a huge understatement," Smith told OfficialCharts.com.
"Thank you so much to every single person who has purchased my album."
Smith's record is the second album to hit one million sales in the UK in 2014, after Ed Sheeran's "X" did so last month.
"To hit a million anywhere is impressive but to become the only artist in the world to do so on both sides of the Atlantic is quite remarkable," declared Martin Talbot, chief executive of the Official Charts Company.
"His journey in 2014, from unknown newcomer winning the Brit Awards Critics' Choice award to internationally renowned double million-seller, has been incredible."
Smith's album became the fastest-selling debut of the year in the UK when it shot straight to No. 1 one in May with first week sales of 102,000. Since its release, "In The Lonely Hour" has spent just one week outside the Top 5 on the Official Albums Chart.
