What’s Happening

Prodigy, the hottest dance-rock act in England, made history by debuting at the top of the U.S. album sales chart this week. The group’s Maverick Records debut, “The Fat of the Land,” sold about 201,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan, to reach a milestone that had eluded the other ‘90s British techno groups.

In April, an album by Prodigy’s English chart rivals the Chemical Brothers debuted at No. 14. Titled “Dig Your Own Hole,” the collection sold about 48,000 copies during its first week in stores.

Meanwhile, the soundtrack from the nation’s No. 1 movie, “Men in Black,” also made a strong debut, selling about 177,000 copies last week to land at No. 2.

The nation’s best-selling single, for the sixth consecutive week, was “I’ll Be Missing You,” Sean “Puffy” Combs’ duet with Faith Evans.

What’s Hot

Here are some recent releases that are generating critical or commercial attention:

Prodigy’s “The Fat of the Land” (Maverick). “Fat,” which employs samples from such varied sources as Ultramagnetic M.C.’s and the Breeders, carries you along with the sonic rise and fall of a spectacular roller-coaster ride.

Lady of Rage’s “Necessary Roughness” (Death Row). Rage delivers her lyrics with gale force and knocks out her tracks with rabbit-punch viciousness. A formidable woman with many surprises up her Afro puffs.

Wu-Tang Clan’s “Wu-Tang Forever” (Loud). The overwhelming passion of the music and the relentless nature of the rhyming make the concept “Wu-Tang Forever” feel more like a reality than a folly.

Megadeth’s “Cryptic Writing” (Capitol). As sharp as the execution is on such songs as “FFF” and “The Disintegrators,” most of the album is made up of moody, meandering songs that are less cryptic than vague.

Radiohead’s “OK Computer” (Capitol). This work is a solid, far-reaching nightmare of paranoia, aliens, “the future,” technology and social disgust, and the band makes the fear inviting with a dreamy cushion of stunning musicality.

Wyclef Jean’s “Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival” (Ruffhouse/Columbia). As captivating as the Fugees’ Lauryn Hill is, her partner’s record proves that the group’s success is due to the sum of all of its parts. The future of the Fugees may be even stronger as a result.

God’s Property From Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation’s “God’s Property” (B-Rite Music). This is the kind of group it takes to reinvent the field of gospel music and make it palatable--and irresistible--to a whole new generation of fans. And Franklin has the goods to be this genre’s new leader.

What’s New

In stores now: Brian Eno’s “The Drop” (Thirsty Ear), Kenny Loggins’ “The Unimaginable Life” (Columbia), Echo & the Bunnymen’s “Evergreen” (London).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: Eddi Reader’s “Candyfloss and Medicine” (Reprise), Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers’ “Fallen Is Babylon” (Elektra).