British rookie Cruz rules US singles chart

NEW YORK – British newcomer Taio Cruz has broken a seven-year-old record by soaring to No 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart in the United States.

Cruz’s ‘Break Your Heart’, featuring rapper Ludacris, soared 52 places to the top, a new record for the largest jump to the top by an act with its first charting single.The old record was held by inaugural ‘American Idol’ champ Kelly Clarkson’s victory song, ‘A Moment Like This’, which flew 51 places to the top in September 2002.’Break Your Heart’ replaces the Black Eyed Peas’ ‘Imma Be’ which slid to No 5 after a two-week stay at the top. It also gives Ludacris his second entry in the top 10, as ‘How Low’ fell three places to No 10.If not for Cruz’s incredible rise, Lady Antebellum would have been celebrating its first Hot 100 No 1. But, the country trio’s ‘Need You Now’ had to settle for the runner-up slot after swapping places with Young Money’s ‘BedRock’ at No 3.This week’s Hot 100 is shaping up as a tough battle. An expected slip in sales for Cruz could open the door for either Lady Antebellum to slip into No 1 or allow Rihanna’s ‘Rude Boy’ (up four to No 4) to continue its quick ascension. – Nampa-AP