Nelly: Country Grammar

Country Grammar is the explosive debut album by Nelly, released on June 27, 2000, and it didn’t just put him on the map—it redrew the map. With his melodic flow, Midwest twang, and sing-song hooks, Nelly brought St. Louis swagger to the mainstream and helped define early 2000s hip-hop.

The album includes massive hits like:

• “Country Grammar (Hot Shit)” — based on a kids’ clapping game, but with streetwise flair
• “E.I.” — a club-ready anthem with infectious bounce
• “Ride wit Me” — a crossover smash featuring City Spud
• “Batter Up” — with the St. Lunatics, full of baseball metaphors and hometown pride

It topped the Billboard 200 for five weeks and was eventually certified Diamond by the RIAA—over 10 million copies sold in the U.S. alone. Critics praised its blend of pop-rap accessibility and Southern grit, and it helped usher in a new era of genre-blending hip-hop.