Entertainment

Ariana Grande secures second number one album in UK charts

It is her first release since the Manchester Arena attack.
It is her first release since the Manchester Arena attack. It is her first release since the Manchester Arena attack.

Ariana Grande has secured her second number one in the Official UK Album Charts.

The singer’s album, Sweetener, has broken Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’s four-week chart reign to secure the top spot, the Official Charts Company said.

Charts company data shows that Sweetener sold 45,000 combined units to give the record the week’s biggest physical sales, as well as a top performer for downloads and streaming.

Grande, whose concert in Manchester last year was the scene of a terror attack, said: “Thank you so much! I’m so grateful! I can’t tell you how appreciative I am. I can’t wait to see you in September.”

Sweetener is her first album since the Manchester Arena terror attack in May 2017, and has gone straight to number one.

It is her second top-ranked album, following on from number one release Dangerous Woman in 2016.

As a result, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’s four-week reign at number one has come to an end – with the album falling to number two after a long spell at the top of the charts.

The Greatest Showman, also a soundtrack album, now drops a place to third.

George Ezra’s album, Staying at Tamara’s, and Drake’s Scorpion make up the top five.

Three Aretha Franklin albums have moved into the Official Albums Chart after she passed away at her Detroit home at the age of 76.

The late Queen of Soul’s single, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, has even claimed its first ever UK chart entry more than five decades after its release.

Albums Soul Queen, Greatest Hits and Respect have all returned to the UK charts, according to the Official Charts Company.

Franklin’s tracks have attracted more than 10 million streams in the week following her death.

Aretha Franklin dies
Aretha Franklin dies Aretha Franklin arriving at the Sony BMG Grammy party at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles (Ian West/PA)

Ezra’s success has also shone through in the Official Singles Chart, with his track Shotgun staying number one for the fourth successive week. Drake again places high, following in second with his single In My Feelings.

Benny Blanco ft Halsey & Khalid have sealed third place with their track Eastside, as Calvin Harris & Sam Smith come in at number four with Promises. Body, by Loud Luxury ft Brando, rounds off the top five singles this week.

Grande has three songs in this week’s Top 40. God Is A Woman is at number six, Breathin rises to number eight, and Sweetener lands at 22.