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Nelly’s ‘Country Grammar’ Becomes Ninth Diamond-Certified Rap Album Ever

blame it on Patrick Glynn July 27, 2016

nelly-country-grammar

Right around the same time it was revealed a slew of less-than-deserving singles reached platinum status because of the RIAA’s new ruling system, we get to relinquish in the fact someone reached a massive milestone largely without the help of streaming.

Back at the turn of the century, Nelly shared one of the biggest mainstream rap efforts ever with Country Grammar. The album featured massive singles like “E.I.” and the title track — let’s be real, it took us all 100 listens to finally get that hook down — as well as lesser-known success like “For My” featuring a teenage Lil Wayne and “Steal The Show.”

Well, this week, the album officially reached the 10 million sold mark in the United States, giving it a diamond certification from the RIAA. He joins six other rap acts (Biggie, 2Pac — multiple times —, OutKast, the Beastie Boys, Eminem —multiple times — and *sigh* MC Hammer) as the only artists to sell more than 10 million copies of a single album. It’s the ninth rap album ever to hit that mark.

Check the list of other rap album that have sold more than 10 million copies.

OutKast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (11 million sold)
The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death (10)
2Pac – All Eyez On Me (10)
2Pac – Greatest Hits (10)
Eminem – The Eminem Show (10)
Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP (10)
Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill
MC Hammer – Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em (10)

Only thing is, who is next?

Well, 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is within a million copies of hitting the achievement, so he’s the most likely candidate.