Kneecap, Melanie C, Michael Jackson vie for UK number one album

Irish language rap group Kneecap is leading the race for the UK Official Number One Album on Friday, competing against Melanie C and Michael Jackson. Kneecap's album 'Fenian', released earlier this month, could become the first Irish language album to top the UK charts. Their previous release 'Fine Art' (2024) reached number 43 in the UK and number two in Ireland. Melanie C's ninth studio album 'Sweat' is her best solo chart performance since her debut 'Northern Star' (1999), and she has never had a solo UK number one. Michael Jackson's compilation 'The Essential Michael Jackson' re-entered the charts after the success of the biopic 'Michael', starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson, which earned $217 million globally in its opening weekend. The Official Charts Company reported less than 3,000 units separating the top three positions. Kneecap claimed on social media that 'Fenian' could be the first Irish language album to top the UK charts, but the Official Charts Company has not yet verified this. The winner will be announced at 17:45 BST on Friday.