Rihanna scores fourth UK #1 album and equals Madonna's chart record

Global phenomenon Rihanna today scores her fourth UK #1 album with just shy of 100k week-one sales of Unapologetic, making it one of the biggest new releases of the year. The Official Charts Company earlier confirmed that the Bajan superstar has equalled Madonna's chart record of three consecutive #1 albums.

Rihanna is now one of the most successful recording acts. With 14-million singles sales in the UK she is currently a close second to Madonna as the biggest selling female singles' artist of all time.

Unapologetic's first single Diamonds went straight to #1, giving Rihanna her sixth #1 single in the UK. Diamonds also hit the iTunes top spot in a further 77 countries. This week, 16 Rihanna tracks featured in the Top 200 UK Official Singles Chart.

Speaking of her success, Jason Iley, President of the Mercury Music Group said: -"Rihanna is an amazing talent and there's absolutely no one like her. We're delighted to be able to deliver her well-deserved success, time and time again."

To mark the release of Unapologetic, Rihanna's 7th album in 7 years, Rihanna undertook a whistle-stop tour of 7 cities in 7 countries in 7 days for 7 intimate shows, visiting Mexico City, Toronto, Stockholm, Paris, Berlin, London and New York City.

With 6 million albums sold in the UK alone, Rihanna is undoubtedly one of the most successful music acts of the century. She is the only female to ever sell out 10 London 02 Arenas and this year she also headlined at Hyde Park. A recently just announced stadium tour will take place in 2013 and will include two shows at the Twickenham Stadium on 15th and 16th June.

The winner of 6 Grammy's and 2 BRITs, Rihanna's record breaking is set to continue. She's sold 180 million records worldwide and had 69 global #1 singles. She's the most popular person on Facebook with over 62 million friends and has over 2.8 billion YouTube hits.

Rihanna returns to the UK today for an X Factor appearance.