July 26, 2001 – Rap artist Nelly's debut album, Country Grammar was certified seven-times platinum this week by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying sales of more than seven million copies.

According to SoundScan, Country Grammar continues to sell an average of more than 40-thousand copies weekly. The top-selling debut album has been on the Billboard charts for more than a year, and has garnered the St. Louis native over ten award nominations. Most recently, Nelly earned three 2001 Source Award nominations for New Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Single of the Year, for the title track. To date, the Grammy-nominated rapper has won Soul Train, World Music and BET awards.

Nelly's current hit single, "Ride Wit Me," remains a top request at radio stations across the country, and the song claims the #14 position on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart. The newest song from Country Grammar, "Batter Up" has been shipped to radio while the video has just been added at BET and MTV.

Last week, Nelly kicked off the national TRL tour, also featuring Eve, Jessica Simpson, Dream, 3LW and Destiny's Child. The tour will visit all major cities throughout North America and concludes in late September.

Nelly is scheduled to perform on The 2001 Source Awards telecast, slated to air on UPN on August 28th.