Britney Spears' third album, Britney, debuts at #1 on the Billboard album sales chart this week with 745,744 units sold, more than doubling last week's top selling album.

This gives Britney Spears' the second best selling album of 2001 according to Soundscan (the #1 best selling album of 2001 goes to her label mates *NSYNC). Beyond all of this, Britney also becomes the first solo female performer in the history of The Billboard 200 to have her first three albums debut in the #1 spot.

Britney the album demonstrates the artist's global appeal with debuts at number one in Canada, Austria, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland, top five positions in France, Spain, Japan, Australia, UK, Norway and top ten for Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, and Portugal.

"We are elated with this week's opening on Britney's album in the US and internationally, particularly given the current difficult economic climate." says Barry Weiss, President of Jive Records. "This new Britney album is by far her best work to date and we plan to work it on a worldwide level through all of 2002 and beyond."

February 15, 2002 will bring Britney Spears to the big screen in America as the star of "Crossroads," the story of three childhood friends, who after eight years apart, rediscover their friendship on a cross-country trip. It will be Britney's major motion picture debut.

AMAs Make Alicia Keys "A Minor" Favorite
The music kudos keep on fallin' into place for Alicia Keys.

The R&B sensation has emerged the top nominee for the 29th annual American Music Awards, scoring FIVE nods including Favorite Female Artist, Favorite New Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album for her debut disc Songs in A Minor.

The Manhattan-born songbird outpaced a handful of seasoned pop superstars to lead Dick Clark's annual Grammy-rivaling trophy fest, which airs live on ABC in January from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The Dave Matthews Band, Janet Jackson, R. Kelly, 'N Sync, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Destiny's Child, Lonestar and Shaggy all followed Keys with two nominations apiece.

For Keys, the nominations are just another notch in her brimmed hat after a year that launched her from obscurity to superstardom. Since its release in June, her album has gone triple-platinum thanks to hit singles like "Fallin'" and "A Woman's Worth." The success also proved that J Records founder Clive Davis still hasn't lost his eye for new talent (and how to market it), after the legendary music exec got the heave-ho from Arista Records last year.

Below is the list of her nominated categories:
Female artist: Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez

New Artist: Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys, Lifehouse

Female artist: Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys

Album: Aaliyah - Aaliyah, All For You - Janet Jackson, Songs in A Minor - Alicia Keys

New Artist: Blu Cantrell, Alicia Keys, Musiq Soulchild

WESTLIFE #1 ONCE AGAIN!
Westlife have brought Afroman's reign at the top of the UK singles charts to an end as they shoot to number one with 'Queen Of My Heart'!

This gives Westlife their 9th #1 single on the UK charts!

Somethin' Stupid
Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman's duet to be released 10th December 2001

'Somethin' Stupid' is the result of a spectacular collision of two stars from two different worlds - Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman.

Robbie and Nicole's take on the Frank & Nancy 1967 classic will be released on 10th December and is currently the favourite for Christmas no.1.

When discussing how the duet came about Robbie said, "Nicole has a beautiful voice. I heard her sing in the movie Moulin Rouge and asked if she'd be interested (in dueting!), fully expecting to be knocked back - she's a proper Hollywood star! - but she said 'yes'. I was amazed and thrilled."

Nicole too is delighted with the record. "He is a total pleasure to work with. He put me at ease and made me laugh!" Nicole adds, "Robbie is a sweet soul and a great singer."

Robbie & Nicole's magical video has been directed by Vaughan Arnell ('Rock DJ') and will be teased on TOTP on 9th November and has its first full terrestrial broadcast on TOTP on 16th November - think Hepburn & Tracey, Taylor & Burton, Bogey & Bacall, Richard & Judy!

'Somethin' Stupid' is the first single taken from Robbie Williams' album 'Swing When You're Winning' and is available on CD, cassette & special DVD single.

The CD & cassette formats feature an orchestral version of Robbie's enormous summer hit 'Eternity' and the show-stopping, live version of the Frank Sinatra classic 'My Way' recorded at Robbie's sensational RAH show.

The 5.1 stereo surround sound DVD format includes the previously unreleased tracks 'That's Life' and 'Let's Face The Music And Dance' taken from Robbie's Capitol Studio recording session, an exclusive gallery section, the 'Somethin' Stupid' promo video and four 30 second video clips.

'Somethin' Stupid' is something simply stupendous!