Eminem’s Group D12 Has Top Album in the Nation

Eminem’s rap group D12 didn’t come close to approaching the blockbuster first-week sales of the controversial rapper’s last solo album, but it did generate enough interest to enter the national sales chart at No. 1 on Wednesday.

“Devil’s Night” sold an estimated 372,000 copies last week, ending a five-week stranglehold on the top of the chart by rock acts.

Because Eminem shares the microphone with five other rappers in D12, the album wasn’t expected to challenge Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers LP,” which sold 1.76 million copies in its first week in stores in May 2000.

But the fact that “Devil’s Night” enters the chart at No. 1 is a testimony to the rapper’s continuing appeal. His own new solo album is tentatively due in December.

Unlike the massive exposure granted Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” video during the “Mathers” launch last year, MTV is airing D12’s “Purple Hills” video only in late-night hours because of the song’s casual drug references.

D12 easily topped Staind’s “Break the Cycle,” which sold 190,000 copies last week, to hold onto the second spot on the chart. The album, whose moody, introspective “It’s Been Awhile” has dominated rock radio for more than two months, has sold 1.7 million copies since its release in late May.

Four other new arrivals joined D12 in the Top 10 this week: Luther Vandross’ “Luther Vandross” (No. 6), Sisqo’s “Return of Dragon” (No. 7), Stone Temple Pilots’ “Shangri-LA DEE DA” (No. 9) and 311’s “From Chaos” (No. 10).

The remaining spots in the Top 10 were claimed by Blink-182 (No. 3), Destiny’s Child (No. 4), the “Moulin Rouge” soundtrack (No. 5) and St. Lunatics (No. 8).

Among other high-profile releases, veteran rockers Widespread Panic’s “Don’t Tell the Band” entered the chart at No. 57, while Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro’s first solo album, “Trust No One,” entered at No. 61.

Radiohead’s new “Amnesiac” has fallen from No. 2 to No. 26 in just three weeks. Another acclaimed rock group, R.E.M., is also continuing to have trouble finding an audience for its new “Reveal.” The album, which was released in late May, is at No. 91 this week.

The nation’s best-selling single is Usher’s “U Remind Me,” followed by Lil’ Romeo’s “My Baby.”