The major-label rookie release from St. Louis-based rapper Nelly remained locked in the number one slot for the second week in a row, according to industry sources. Powered by its breakthough title track, the disc sold another 235,000 copies for the week ended August 20.
With Nelly holding tight, Britney Spears spent another week as the runner-up. Her sophomore album, Oops!...I Did It Again, moved 194,000 copies for her seemingly reserved number-two seat.
Meanwhile, as Eminem's lawsuit count goes up, so does his chart position. His The Marshall Mathers LP jumped up to number three, just as his mother and estranged wife lob more legal bombs his way.
In fourth place was the fourth installment in the Now That's What I Call Music! pop hits series, followed by the earnest rockers in Creed, whose Human Clay climbed to number five as the band launched its tour. 'N Sync, which just announced another leg to its world tour, was at number six with No Strings Attached.
Creed tourmates 3 Doors Down climbed one spot to number seven with their debut album, The Better Life, selling 119,000 copies. Close behind came another rookie group, Papa Roach, whose Infest sold 114,000 copies at number eight.
Sting, who has an upcoming Best Buy-sponsored performance in New York's Central Park, re-entered the top 10 at number nine with Brand New Day. Nutty Professor II: The Klumps soundtrack stayed solid in the 10 slot, as the movie broke the $100 million mark at the box office.
Although the Source Hip-Hop Awards were shut down by police, its tie-in compilation album featuring award winners like Dr. Dre, Eminem and Black Rob earned the week's highest debut at number 19 with 53,000 copies sold.
South Park Mexican--a Latino rapper named Carlos Coy, not some Comedy Central cartoon character--took the second highest bow with his Purity Album. Clocking in at number 57, the album sold 24,000 copies.
Landing one spot below, One Nation Crew's debut, Kirk Franklin Presents, sold 23,000 copies. 1NC, which is composed of 10 ethnically diverse vocalists, has toured and performed closely with Franklin for the past two years. They have joined him for performances on everything from the Grammy Awards to the NAACP Image Awards.
The humorous Long Island group Wheatus sold 19,000 copies of its self-titled new album for a number 76 showing. Rodney Carrington's Morning Wood was the week's only other charting debut at number 153, selling 7,000 copies.