JAY-Z’s “The Blueprint 3” debuted at the top of the Billboard album charts last week selling over 475,000 copies.  With that grand entry on to the charts, JAY-Z surpassed Elvis Presley as the solo act with the most # 1 albums in the history of Billboard.   Now “The Blueprint 3” reigns supreme for a second consecutive week with sales of 297,911 copies.

The album’s success has been propelled by unprecedented fan support, hit singles, “D.O.A. (Death Of Autotune) and “Run This Town” with Rihanna and Kanye West, and “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys which is the #1 selling digital single in the country this week selling 205k copies.  JAY-Z has also made high profile appearances on HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher,” and “Late Show With David Letterman,” a BET three part special, “Food For Thought,” and performances on the MTV Video Music Awards and “The Jay Leno Show.”

Continuing momentum that hasn’t been seen in years, at long last, JAY-Z will make his highly anticipated debut appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”  The show, airing, Thursday, September 24th builds upon their initial conversation in Brooklyn, New York’s Marcy Projects.

“The Blueprint 3” excitement began in June when the album was originally scheduled for release on Friday, September 11th.  Overwhelming demand dictated the album be made available 6 days earlier.  “The Blueprint 3” went on sale Saturday, September 5th exclusively on line at Rhapsody and Tuesday, September 8th in retail stores. 

“The Blueprint 3” is the last chapter of the “Blueprint” series.  Its release date paid homage to the date of the original “Blueprint,” Tuesday, September 11, 2001.  Recognizing the events of that date, JAY-Z staged the historic “ANSWER THE CALL” charity concert at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden.  100% of the proceeds from ticket sales and concert merchandise benefited the “New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund.  Airing in HD and commercial-free on the music television network FUSE, the wildly successful sold-out concert featured artists Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Kanye West, John Mayer, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, Kid Cudi and Memphis Bleek, and ranked among the highest-rated television programs in Fuse history.

JAY-Z is currently performing with Coldplay in the UK before returning to the U.S. for his stateside tour beginning October 9th.

Source: Atlantic Records

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