His choices also reflect a dramatic shift in global sales patterns. Though corporate-owned record labels rely heavily on exports of English-speaking stars, mainly from the US, the top sellers in many countries increasingly are albums released by homegrown acts. Sales began shifting more than a decade ago.

In 2000 roughly 68 per cent of worldwide sales derived from so-called local repertory - artists working in their native country - up from 58 per cent in 1991, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, a trade group in London. Though American stars such as BeyoncГ© and the Red Hot Chili Peppers still connect with fans in territories around the world, the ranks and global appeal of major US acts appear to be waning, many music executives say.

In Spain, for instance, only one American album - the soundtrack to High School Musical 2 - was in a recent Top 10.