Jay-Z Lands First UK No. 1 Album

By Press Association

Hip-hop icon Jay-Z has achieved his first UK number one album with Magna Carta Holy Grail landing at the top of the charts.The record ousted Mumford & Sons’ Babel which enjoyed surging sales because of the folk-rock band’s appearance at Glastonbury.

Jaz-Z’s 13-track LP comfortably outsold its nearest rival, Rod Stewart’s Time.

Despite previously enjoying seven top 40 albums as a solo artist, Jay-Z had never reached the summit before. His personal best before Magna Carta Holy Grail was number 4 in 2009 with Blueprint III.

His joint effort with Kanye West, Watch The Throne, peaked at number 3 in 2011.

Magna Carta Holy Grail features guest appearances from Justin Timberlake, Frank Ocean and Jay-Z’s wife Beyonce.

Sales of Rod Stewart’s Time were boosted following the broadcast on BBC1 on Tuesday of Imagine: Can’t Stop Me Now, a special documentary looking back at Rod the Mod’s career.

In the singles chart, Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines returned to the top spot following two weeks in the runner-up slot.

The catchy track, featuring Pharrell Williams and rapper TI, spent a month at number 1 in June before being knocked off by Swedish duo Icona Pop and their debut single I Love It, featuring Charli XCX.

After a week in the driving seat, John Newman fell to number 2 with Love Me Again.