Eminem’s ‘Recovery’ Scores Biggest Debut of the Year
Fresh off his recent title as best-selling artist of the decade, Eminem has officially landed the biggest record debut of the year with his seventh studio album, 'Recovery.'
Em's sixth No. 1 debut raked in 741,000 in sales in the first week, topping his 2009 album 'Relapse,' which hit the No. 1 spot with 608,000 in sales. Although 'Recovery' failed to hit the golden 1 million sales mark, it is the highest album debut since AC/DC's 2008 album 'Black Ice.'
Billboard reports that 'Recovery' pulled in the record for the second-biggest digital week ever, with 255,000 downloads, following Coldplay's 2008 release 'Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.' Em's collaboration with Rihanna on the track 'Love the Way You Lie' also helped push sales, topping Billboard's Digital Songs charts with 338,000 downloads.
After admitting a weak return with his 2009 album 'Relapse,' Em has been open about the way his battle with drug addiction has affected his ability to create music. The Detroit rapper has been much more present in the spotlight in recent weeks, appearing on the 'Late Show With David Letterman' and E!'s pop culture show, 'The Soup.' Em is also scheduled to make a cameo on the season finale of HBO's hit series 'Entourage,' where he will be filmed at a platinum record party for 'Recovery.'