US rapper Kanye West has paid tribute to fellow rapper Lil Wayne, calling him “a true living legend in hip-hop”.

In a message on his blog, West congratulated Lil Wayne after it was revealed that the rapper had sold over a million copies of his new album in a week.

'Tha Carter III', Lil Wayne's sixth album, is the fastest selling release since 50 Cent's 2005 album 'The Massacre'.

West, who helped with the production on the record, said he was “happy to know this guy”.

"Bow in the presence of a true living legend in hip-hop. Lil Wayne the God,” he wrote.

'Tha Carter III's' reign at the top of the US Billboard album chart is only likely to last for a week, however.

Early sales figures for Coldplay's new album, 'Viva La Vida', which is currently number one in the UK, suggest it will debut at the summit of the US chart next week.

(by Jason Gregory)