US rapper Eminem has become the most popular living person on Facebook taking the crown from Pop princess Lady Gaga.

Already earlier this week it was announced that the rapper had reached the internet milestone mark of one billion view on his official YouTube account, placing him an elite group with only Lady Gaga and teen sensation Justin Bieber able to boast such huge numbers.

Now it has been revealed that Eminem has almost 29 million fans on Facebook, making him more popular than Lady Gaga and only just shy of the total of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, who has just over 29 million fans.

Social media statistics company Famecount.com revealed the statistics which have shown that over the past few months Eminem and Lady Gaga have been fighting for supremacy in the Facebook stakes with fewer than one million fans separating the pair from either side of the musical spectrum.

However, recently Eminem has been recruiting fans at stellar speed with around 546,000 joining him each week, that's more than the entire population of Luxembourg!

Laday Gaga was the most popular living person on facebook for eight months and while she has dropped in the Facebook chart she is still riding high on Twitter with 8.2 million followers.

Daniel Dearlove of Famecount.com said: “This new landmark follows a spectacular year for Eminem, with the release of “Recovery” and wins at the Grammys matched by surging social media fame.”

He added: “Although Eminem cannot afford complacency. Lady gaga knows how to command attention and the release of “Born This Way” puts her back in the spotlight.”

And tips for the top in the future: “Rihanna is one to watch – currently the fastest growing star on Facebook,” said Daniel Dearlove.