Eminem's ''8 Mile'' soundtrack debuts at No. 1

There’s no escaping Eminem, certainly not on the Billboard album chart. In anticipation of Friday’s opening of his movie ”8 Mile,” the film’s soundtrack soared to the top of the chart right out of the box. Featuring songs by Eminem, his Detroit posse D12, both Jay-Z and Nas, Xzibit, and Macy Gray, ”8 Mile” sold 703,000 copies according to SoundScan. It’s the second No. 1 debut for the rapper in six months; the first, ”The Eminem Show,” has remained in the top 10, slipping one slot this week to No. 8.

Marshall Mathers outstripped Christina Aguilera and three other new releases that debuted in the top 10 this week. He outsold Aguilera’s ”Stripped” two to one; that album debuted in second place on sales of 330,500. ”Nirvana,” the grunge band’s greatest-hits collection that includes the previously unreleased ”You Know You’re Right,” entered the charts at No. 3 and sold 234,000 discs. Country trio Rascal Flatts, honored as newcomers with the Horizon Award at Wednesday night’s Country Music Association Awards, saw their sophomore release, ”Melt,” debut in fifth place, moving 169,000 units. And Tori Amos’ ”Scarlet’s Walk” entered at No. 7, selling 107,000 albums.

Last week’s No. 1 debut, Santana’s ”Shaman,” dropped three places to No. 4 and sold another 175,000 copies. Rounding out the top 10 were Faith Hill’s ”Cry” (down four spots to No. 6), Avril Lavigne’s ”Let Go” (sliding one space to No. 9), and Dixie Chicks’ ”Home” (falling four notches to No. 10).