The rapper has sold more albums in America this century (nearly 20m) than any other act, so it is no surprise that his latest set, Relapse, debuts in pole position with first week sales in excess of 608,000.

Relapse's sales are almost four times nearest challenger, 21st Century Breakdown by Green Day, which slips 1-2 on sales of 166,000.

Country star Kenny Chesney's Greatest Hits II album debuts at number three on sales of 89,000, beating the number 13 peak ...