New York, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Roc-A-Fella Records) - Today, JAY-Z and his newest album, AMERICAN GANGSTER, have claimed a rightful place in history, capturing the No 1 slot on the Top 200 Billboard charts, selling 424,000 copies. AMERICAN GANGSTER is JAY-Z's 10th release to debut in the top position, tying him with
Elvis Presley for most chart topping debuts. This new album is his second No 1 debut in less than 12 months following the release on 2006's Kingdom Come, which sold over 680,000 units in its first week.
"It's a true testament to JAY-Z's greatness to create this amazing conceptual body of work clearly not intended to be measured by commercial standards; yet he still achieves this monumental and historic accomplishment of his 10th No 1 and tying Elvis." said Antonio 'L.A.' Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group.
Hailed by both fans and critics, AMERICAN GANGSTER, is JAY-Z's first conceptual work of art. Separate from the official motion picture soundtrack, this collection of all-new original material is a musical journey and lyrical interpretation of snapshots from the No 1 motion picture drama American Gangster.
Always setting the bar higher for all who come after him, JAY-Z's 5 city whirlwind tour has received rave reviews and closed at the legendary Apollo Theater last night. Fans not lucky enough to attend these intimate performances, all cities sold out in less than one minute, may experience the New York City, Hammerstein Ballroom performance on MSN's Control Room.
Control Room and MSN are proud to present an exclusive online broadcast of Jay-Z's sold-out live performance from New York's Hammerstein Theatre via MSN's Music In Concert' series Fans can access the concert for free at https://music.msn.com/jayz the week of November 19th.
PRAISE FOR AMERICAN GANGSTER TOUR:
Dynastic succession, cutthroat competition, brand reinforcement: these were a few of the items on Jay-Z's agenda at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Sunday night. Of course he covered this ground with exultant style, surrounding himself with constituents, proteges and even a notable rival. Fittingly for any hip-hop mogul, and especially for this one, the show felt scrappy as well as spectacular. - NY TIMES
"What Jay-Z does is put together a flawless experience - not a mere concert. He's far beyond that. The rapper-mogul puts on a call-and-response show that leaves his parishioners sated..... His mission was to remind people that whatever happens - Kanye vs. 50 Cent, whatever - there's only one rapper to be reckoned with." - Chicago Tribune
'The rapper tore through hit after hit with ferocious energy, running some together in powerful medleys...interjecting rapid-fire freestyles in between.' � Chicago Sun Times
'Jay-Z's steady vocals were wisely pushed front and center in the mix. And he delivered certain couplets and a few full stanzas a cappella, in a near whisper, which drew the audience in closer.' � Washington Post
