Jay-Z lands first UK number one album
- Published
Jay-Z has landed his first UK number one album with Magna Carta Holy Grail.
The rapper's highest-charting album previously was 2011's collaborative project Watch The Throne with Kanye West, which peaked at number three.
The record ousted Mumford & Sons' Babel which enjoyed surging sales following the band's appearance at Glastonbury.
In the singles chart, Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines returned to the top spot, replacing John Newman's Love Me Again after just one week at number one.
Blurred Lines, featuring Pharrell Williams and rapper TI, led the singles' chart for a month in June.
Magna Carta Holy Grail, Jay-Z's 15th album, features guest appearances from Justin Timberlake, Frank Ocean and Beyonce.
The album comfortably outsold its nearest rival, Rod Stewart's Time, which peaked at number two.
Mike Rosenberg, better known as Passenger, advanced four places to number three with All The Little Lights, and Canadian crooner Michael Buble dipped two spots to number four with To Be Loved.
Mumford & Sons' Babel fell to number 5, spending its 42nd week in the chart.
Jay-Z took to the stage in London over the weekend to headline the second night of the Wireless music festival.
"I feel the love tonight," Jay-Z, 43, told the crowd at Queen Elizabeth Park on the former Olympic site. "I like it out here.
"You've been an incredible audience tonight."
The hip-hop star was joined by Timberlake during the encore for a rendition of Holy Grail.
The pair are performing Legends of the Summer together at the closing gig on Sunday, a precursor to their US tour of the same name.
- Published7 July 2013
- Published30 June 2013