According to SoundScan it is the first time that two different artists each releasing new albums in the same week have topped 600,000 copies sold.  Guns N’ Roses released two albums on the same day in 1991, Use Your Illusion 1 & 2, and each sold more than 600,000.

West’s album also set a record in digital sales, topping Maroon 5’s 102,000 downloads set this year.  West has sold 132,000 downloads so far, and his single Stronger has been the #1 selling track on iTunes for seven straight weeks.

West has been making headlines over the last week by publicly denouncing MTV and declaring he will never work with the network again.  He reiterated that stance on Ellen. 

A backstage tirade made it to the internet (see it here), where he complained about his five Video Music Award nominations without any wins.  Overall it was a brilliant week of marketing and publicity for the rap star, one which likely benefited his album sales.  50 Cent, on the other hand, was largely quiet, limiting his public statements to his performances.