Mayor Harmon went on to elaborate in a prepared statement: "Just because you're platinum ought not to get you some recognition if what you say is offensive. I couldn't officially provide the city's blessing on something like that."
In the meantime, several local papers have run editorials criticizing the mayor's decision, and Nelly's new hit "E.I." continues to climb the charts. Country Grammar, Nelly's debut album, is presently Number Two on the Billboard 200 album chart and has sold more than three million copies to reach triple-platinum status.
Nelly will co-headline a tour with the Cash Money Millionaires that kicks off on November 14 at the Compaq Center in Houston. Lil' Kim, Kandi, Joe, and Profyle will also be on board for the tour.
The tentative tour dates are:
November 12 - Houston, TX - Compaq Center
November 15 - Miami, FL - American Airlines Arena
November 18 - Annapolis, MD- Radio Show
November 19- Philadelphia, PA- First Union Spectrum
November 23- Hartford, CT - Hartford Civic Center Coliseum
November 24 - Charlotte, NC - Charlotte Coliseum
November 25 - Hampton, VA - Hampton Coliseum
November 26 - Rochester, NY - Blue Cross Arena
November 29 - Albany, NY - Pepsi Arena
November 30 - Washington, DC - MCI Arena
December 1 - Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum
December 2 - Worchester, MA - Centrum Center
December 3 - Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Civic Center
December 6 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
December 7 - Kansas City, MO - Kemper Arena
December 8 - Rosemont, IL - Rosemont Horizon
December 9 - Nashville, TN - Gaylord Entertainment Center
December 10 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
December 14 - St. Louis, MO - Kiel Cente
r December 15 - Cleveland, OH - CSU Convention Center
December 16 - Detroit, MI - Palace Of Auburn Hills
December 17 - Buffalo, NY - Marine Midland Arena
December 20 - Portland, OR - Rose Garden Arena
December 21 - Seattle, WA - Key Arena
December 22 - San Jose, CA - San Jose Arena
-- Yves Salomon, New York
Got news tips, comments, or questions? Send them to newstips@launch.com.
Nelly, Scott among guests at BET Awards pre-party
Jun 24, 2008 6:00 am PDT
Beneath towering arches in an old cathedral downtown, a 20-member choir welcomed guests at the BET Awards pre-party with a rousing gospel tune. Nelly, Ashanti, Jermaine Dupri and Jill Scott were among those who gathered Monday at Vibiana ...
Nelly wants Springsteen collaboration
Mar 31, 2008 2:00 am PDT
Nelly is bummed he wasn't able to collaborate with Bruce Springsteen on his new album. "I was really trying to get The Boss, but The Boss is all over the world," Nelly told The Associated Press on the orange carpet at Saturday's Kids Choi...
Nelly hits red carpet in white T-shirt
Sep 9, 2007 5:49 pm PDT
Nelly was wearing a very expensive white T-shirt as he got ready to hit the red carpet at the MTV Awards Video Music Awards Sunday night. "It's a two-hundred-dollar white T," Nelly said. "It's got to be the most expensive white T I've ev...
Nelly's Sister Dies of Leukemia
Mar 24, 2005 10:00 am PST
The sister of Grammy-winning rapper Nelly died Thursday at a St. Louis hospital after a long battle with leukemia, the artist's publicist said. Jacqueline "Jackie" Donahue, 31, had been diagnosed with leukemia on March 29, 2001. The cance...
Nelly Nominated For Two Country Music Television Awards
Feb 28, 2005 7:00 am PST
Rapper Nelly already has three Grammy Awards on his mantle, but the rapper is hoping to add a Country Music Television Award or two to his collection. Allhiphop.com reports that Nelly was nominated for two Country Music Television (CMT) Aw...