Returning American rap megastar Eminem has scooped the number one slot this week, with his album ‘Relapse’ becoming the fastest selling of the year so far.
Eminem is back. The hip hop icon entered a period of solitude following the death of his friend Proof, a fellow Detroit rapper who formed part of the D-12 crew with Marshall Mathers. Eminem recently opened his heart on the depths of his depression and drug abuse, revealing that he used a cocktails of sleeping pills and anti-depressants.
However after a spell in rehab the rapper emerged with a renewed thirst for creativity. Sessions with long time producer Dr Dre were so productive there are rumours that Eminem could release a new album before the year is out.
The album has been preceded by the controversial new single ‘We Made You’. A swipe at celebrity culture, the video features Eminem lampooning a number of real-life celebrity figures including Blighty’s own Amy Winehouse.
The next track to be released from the album is ‘3AM’. A much darker track, it demonstrates that Eminem’s lyrical flow remains as intense as ever.
Eminem launched the album with a free show in Detroit. Demand for the tickets was incredible, with only 2000 people able to bear witness to hip hop history in the making. The rapper gave an incredible show, with two lucky fans jetted out to watch the show after winning tickets on Jonathan Ross’ Twitter account.
Click HERE for our review of ‘Relapse’!
‘Relapse’ has soared into number one with the best first week sales of the year so far. The album topples fellow American chart breakers Green Day whose album ’21st Century Breakdown’ drops to number two.
Just below the Californian punks are Manic Street Preachers whose new album ‘Journal For Plague Lovers’ enters the chart at number three. Using departed lyricist Richey Edwards’ notebooks, the album’s material recalls the famously dense soundscapes of ‘The Holy Bible’ yet remains resolutely the work of a band in the 21st century.
Click HERE for our review of ‘Journal For Plague Lovers’!
The full UK Top Ten albums chart is as follows:
1. Eminem – ‘Relapse’
2. Green Day – ’21st Century Breakdown’
3. Manic Street Preachers – ‘Journal For Plague Lovers’
4. Lily Allen – ‘It’s Not Me It’s You’
5. Madness – ‘The Liberty Of Norton Folgate’
6. Lady GaGa – ‘The Fame’
7. The Prodigy – ‘Invaders Must Die’
8. Jim Reeves – ‘The Very Best Of’
9. Pink – ‘Funhouse’
10. Beyonce – ‘I Am Sasha Fierce’
