Nelly

Who Is Nelly?

Nelly, born Cornell Haynes Jr. on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas, is a prominent figure in the music industry known for his distinctive style that seamlessly blends rap and pop. His 2000 solo debut album, Country Grammar, featured the hit single of the same name and established him as a major artist. Following this success, Nelly’s next four albums reached the top three on the Billboard charts, with several singles consistently appearing in the top 20, including four that claimed the No. 1 spot. A two-time Grammy Award winner, Nelly has also ventured into film and television, further showcasing his versatility as an entertainer.

Early Years

Nelly’s early life was marked by change; his parents divorced when he was young, prompting him and his mother to move from downtown St. Louis to University City, Missouri. Growing up, he was drawn to both baseball and rap music, eventually forming his first musical group, St. Lunatics, with high school friends. In 1996, the group achieved local success with the self-produced single “Gimme What You Got.” However, recognizing Nelly’s potential as a solo artist, the group decided to focus on his solo career, leading to his signing with Universal Records.

Albums and Songs

Country Grammar

Nelly’s debut album, Country Grammar (2000), was a commercial triumph, featuring contributions from St. Lunatics, Lil Wayne, and Cedric the Entertainer. The album was certified platinum nine times in the United States, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart and peaking at No. 1 on the album chart. The title track reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the rap chart, while the second single, “Ride wit Me,” featuring St. Lunatic member City Spud, peaked at No. 3. In 2001, Nelly reunited with St. Lunatics to release Free City, which also achieved platinum status.

Nellyville

Building on his momentum, Nelly released his second solo album, Nellyville, in 2002. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and ultimately went platinum six times. It produced the chart-topping single “Hot in Herre,” which earned the Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance in 2003. The album’s other hit, “Dilemma,” featuring Kelly Rowland, received the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance. Additional singles such as “Work It,” featuring Justin Timberlake, and “Air Force Ones,” featuring Murphy Lee and the St. Lunatics, further solidified Nelly’s status in the music industry.

Sweat, Suit, and Sweatsuit

In 2003, Nelly released a remix album, Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention, before launching two studio albums in 2004: Sweat (an R&B album) and Suit (focused on rap). Both albums performed well, with Suit debuting at No. 1 and Sweat at No. 2 on the Billboard albums chart. In 2005, he released Sweatsuit, a compilation album featuring tracks from both previous albums along with three new songs, including the chart-topping single “Grillz.”

Brass Knuckles, 5.0, and M.O.

In 2008, Nelly released Brass Knuckles, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The album featured the single “Party People,” which peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following that, he released 5.0 in 2010, showcasing hits like “Just a Dream” (No. 3) and “Gone,” the sequel to “Dilemma.” In 2013, he followed with M.O., which included a collaboration with Nicki Minaj and Pharrell Williams on “Get Like Me.”

Films and TV Shows

In addition to his music career, Nelly has appeared in films such as Adam Sandler’s The Longest Yard (2005) and has had a recurring role on CSI: NY. He also starred in reality television shows, including Nellyville, and made notable appearances in Real Husbands of Hollywood and The Platinum Life.

Clothing and Charity

Nelly is also an entrepreneur, having launched clothing lines Vokal and Apple Bottom. He is committed to philanthropy through the 4Sho4Kids Foundation, which raises awareness and funds for various children’s health issues.

Personal Life

Nelly has been in a relationship with Shantel Jackson since 2014. In late 2017, he faced legal challenges when a 22-year-old University of Washington student accused him of sexual assault on his tour bus, later claiming damage to her reputation due to his public denials. Nelly’s lawyer dismissed the lawsuit as “motivated by greed,” and the charges were ultimately dropped.