R Kelly has denied the charges

The R&B star's album, Chocolate Factory, sold 532,000 copies in its first week of release.

The album is Kelly's first since he was arrested last year for allegedly filming himself having sex with an underage girl.

He is now awaiting trial on 21 counts of child pornography stemming from the alleged incident.

He also faces 12 more similar charges after being arrested in Florida in January. The 36-year-old has maintained his innocence throughout.

Allegations

Police are also investigating a further allegation of sexual abuse against the singer, made by a 24-year-old woman.

The woman accused Kelly of abusing her at a Chicago recording studio on Tuesday 18 February.

His representatives called the latest allegations "an outrageous and blatant attempt at character assassination".

Kelly's success has moved rapper 50 Cent down to second place in the charts.

50 Cent, himself in trouble with the police after being charged with possessing two loaded guns, had been top of the charts for two weeks with Get Rich Or Die Tryin'.

Jazz-pop singer Norah Jones, who swept the board at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, is at number three with Come Away With Me.