Ashanti Notches Double-Platinum Debut

NEW YORK (Top40 Charts) - R&B newcomer Ashanti's self-titled Murder Inc. debut album has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for U.S. shipments of 2 million copies. Released in April, "Ashanti" debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The single "Foolish" is No. 1 on US singles chart for a sixth week and is ninth on US R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

Also reaching the double-platinum plateau is Blink-182's "Take off Your Pants and Jacket." The 2001 MCA release peaked at No. 1 on the US Albums 200 and spawned the Modern Rock Tracks chart hits "The Rock Show" (No. 2), "First Date" (No. 6), and "Stay Together for the Kids" (No. 7).

"The Best of Both Worlds," the one-off collaboration between R. Kelly and Jay-Z, has earned the artists platinum honors. Last month the Jive/Roc-A-Fella set topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and reached No. 2 on The Billboard 200.

Arista's Barry Manilow collection "Ultimate Manilow" also pulled in a platinum award after its first RIAA accounting. The compilation of songs released during the enduring artist's tenure with the label surprised many in February when it debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200.

Also notable in the latest round of certifications is a gold plaque for Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" for U.S. shipments of 500,000 copies. Released in February, the Blue Note set previously topped US's Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and is No. 17 this week on the US Albums chart.