June 15, 2000 – St. Louis-based rapper Nelly continues to dominate the charts with his infectious hit single, "Country Grammar." Remarkably, the single has remained #1 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles Chart for four weeks in a row, and is in the Top 30 on the Top 100 Singles chart. The pop-friendly song is proving to be a hit at radio as it is currently the #1 "Most Played Rap Song" at crossover radio. "Country Grammar" is the first track to be released from Nelly's debut album also titled, Country Grammar, which will be in stores June 27th. Consumer anticipation for the Universal release is so high, that the album is shipping gold – a strong indication that retailers are optimistic about the sales potential of the album.

Nelly is already being recognized as a pioneer. The Source, the top-selling "magazine of hip-hop music, culture & politics" predicts, "In the same way that Master P proudly placed New Orleans on the ever growing hip-hop map, 20-year-old Nelly is poised to introduce the world to the uncharted waters of St. Louis. Like the bounce connoisseurs before him did for the South, Nelly introduces heads to a different aspect of the Midwest."

While in high school, Nelly, along with five friends, formed a rap group known as Nelly and the St. Lunatics. In 1996, the group released an independent 12-inch single titled, "Gimme What Ya Got," and the song was such a hit, that it was the #1 Most Requested Song on St. Louis' #1 hip-hop station. The group sold over 7,000 units regionally without video or radio promotion. After several years of attempting to secure a record deal as a group, Nelly and the St. Lunatics decided that Nelly would have more luck getting signed by himself, so last year, Universal Records signed Nelly on as a solo artist.

The charismatic rapper has made numerous television appearances on Soul Train, farmclub.com and local St. Louis shows. He will appear on MTV Jams June 20th, and is slated to perform live on the new WB Morning Show June 30th.