Rapper The Game heads US charts

The Game's album has sold over half a million copies so far

Rapper The Game has debuted at No 1 on the Billboard album charts in the US with his album Documentary.

According to official figures, the album sold 587,000 copies in its first week of release, nearly twice as many as its nearest rival.

Green Day's American Idiot fell to No 2 in the charts, while Eminem's Encore slipped to No 3.

The Game, real name Jayceon Taylor, recently came fourth in the BBC News website's Sound Of 2005 poll.

Foster home

Taylor, 24, released his first album Untold Story a few months ago on the independent label Get Low.

He has collaborated with a string of other rappers, including Dr Dre and Kanye West, on his latest release, which is based on his experiences growing up in a foster home and becoming involved in drugs and crime.

He has also scored a top 10 hit with his debut single, How We Do, featuring fellow rapper 50 Cent.

Other albums in the top 10 included Usher's Confessions, which stayed at No 7 for a second week, and Destiny's Child's Destiny Fulfilled, at No 10.