Jay-Z is on course to achieve his 10th No. 1 album...

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Rapper Jay-Z is on course to achieve his 10th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, based on early sales estimates issued Wednesday.

"American Gangster" -- a disc inspired by the current No. 1 film at the North American box office -- sold about 179,000 copies Tuesday, according to preliminary Nielsen SoundScan data.

It was followed by R&B singer Chris Brown's second album "Exclusive" (107,000), and reigning champ the Eagles' "Long Road Out Of Eden" (89,000). Garth Brooks' new "Ultimate Hits" claimed the fourth slot, with 61,000.

Final data will be released next Wednesday.

If Jay-Z locks his 10th No. 1, that will tie him with Elvis Presley for second place among artists with the most chart-toppers. Only the Beatles have more, with 19.

Jay-Z's last album, 2006's "Kingdom Come," opened atop the Billboard 200 last fall with 680,000 copies.

Reuters/Billboard