Kneecap Leads Three-Way UK Album Chart Race Over Melanie C and Michael Jackson

An Irish language rap group, former Spice Girl Melanie C and Michael Jackson are locked in a three-way battle for the top spot on the UK album chart Friday.

The Official Charts Company showed Kneecap in the lead in its midweek update. The trio's album Fenian, released earlier this month, could become their first number one in the UK. The group consists of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

Kneecap's previous release, Fine Art from 2024, reached number 43 in the UK and number two in the Republic of Ireland.

Melanie C has never topped the UK album chart with a solo release. Sweat is her ninth studio album. Her strongest solo showing came with her 1999 debut Northern Star.

No former Spice Girl has reached number one with a solo album so far.

Michael Jackson hit number one on the UK album chart nine times during his life. He did so once more after his 2009 death when The Essential Michael Jackson held the top spot for seven weeks.

The re-entry of that collection ties to the success of the film Michael, which stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson.

The Official Charts Company said earlier this week that fewer than 3000 units separated Kneecap in first place from Michael Jackson in third.

After the midweek data came out, Kneecap posted on social media that Fenian could be "the first ever Irish language album" to top the UK charts.