Nelly
Nelly | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. November 2, 1974 Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, vocalist, actor |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Known for | Member of St. Lunatics; solo albums including Country Grammar, Nellyville; hits like "Hot in Herre", "Dilemma" |
Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. (born November 2, 1974), professionally known as Nelly, is an American artist recognized for his work as a rapper, vocalist, and actor. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, he launched his musical journey in 1993 as part of the Midwest hip hop ensemble St. Lunatics. Transitioning to a solo career, he secured a contract with Universal Records in 1999 and released his inaugural album, Country Grammar, in 2000. The album's leading tracks, "Country Grammar (Hot Shit)" and "Ride wit Me" featuring City Spud, both climbed into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album itself reached number one on the Billboard 200 and received diamond certification from the RIAA. His sophomore effort, Nellyville (2002), generated two back-to-back Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers: "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma" featuring Kelly Rowland, alongside the top-five single "Air Force Ones" with Murphy Lee and St. Lunatics.
In 2004, Nelly simultaneously dropped two albums: Sweat and Suit, which were later combined into the compilation Sweatsuit in 2005. Sweat debuted at number two while Suit claimed the number one spot, collectively selling approximately 700,000 copies during their first week. His fifth studio project, Brass Knuckles (2008), included singles like "Party People" featuring Fergie, "Stepped on My J'z" with Jermaine Dupri and Ciara, and "Body on Me" featuring Akon and Ashanti. The sixth album, 5.0 (2010), embraced more pop influences; its lead single "Just a Dream" achieved triple platinum certification. Other singles from this album were "Move That Body" featuring T-Pain and Akon, as well as "Gone" featuring Kelly Rowland. His seventh and eighth albums, M.O. (2013) and Heartland (2021), experienced moderate commercial performance; notably, Heartland, released through Columbia Records, marked a stylistic shift toward country rap.
Throughout his career, Nelly has garnered numerous accolades including three Grammy Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards. By 2014, he had sold over 21 million albums in the United States alone, positioning him among the best-selling hip hop artists domestically. Billboard recognized him as the third Top Artist of the Decade for the 2000s. Besides his musical pursuits, Nelly appeared in the 2005 motion picture The Longest Yard. He ventured into fashion by launching the clothing brand Vokal in 1997 and introduced a women's apparel line called Apple Bottoms in 2003. His record label Derrty Entertainment was founded in collaboration with Motown in 2003 but has seen limited activity since then.
1974–2000: Early life and beginnings
Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. was born on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas. He is the only son of Cornell Haynes and Rhonda Mack. During his childhood years, his father served in the Air Force, and when Haynes was seven years old, his parents separated. As a teenager, he relocated with his mother from St. Louis, Missouri to University City, a suburb within St. Louis County. While attending high school there, Nelly formed the group St. Lunatics alongside friends Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, Slo Down, and his half-brother City Spud. The collective gained local recognition with their 1996 release "Gimme What Ya Got."
Although they enjoyed regional popularity, breaking into markets beyond St. Louis proved challenging for the group. After failing to secure a major record deal collectively, they agreed to allow Nelly to pursue a solo path. In 1999, A&R executive Kevin Law signed him to Universal Music Group. Early feedback from the label was notably critical of Nelly’s music style; internally he faced considerable skepticism.
Nelly distinguished himself as a Midwestern rapper during an era when hip hop was predominantly shaped by East Coast, West Coast, and Southern artists. Capitalizing on this regional identity, the label positioned him as a representative of Midwest hip hop to cultivate local pride. His debut single "Country Grammar (Hot Shit)" achieved commercial success by reaching number seven on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart. Recognizing his potential for broader appeal, the label shifted focus toward releasing his solo debut album before planning a reunion with St. Lunatics in the following year.
2000–2003: Breakthrough with Country Grammar and Nellyville
Nelly's initial album, Country Grammar (2000), launched him into widespread recognition. The album's title track climbed to number 7 on the Hot 100 and secured the top spot on the Hot Rap Tracks chart, contributing to the album's debut at number three on the Billboard 200. Additional singles included "E.I.", "Ride wit Me" featuring City Spud, and "Batter Up" alongside the St. Lunatics. By April 2004, the RIAA had certified the album 9× platinum. In January 2001, Nelly made a special guest appearance during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXV.
In 2002, Nelly followed up with his sophomore album, Nellyville, which debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart. The lead single, "Hot in Herre", achieved a number-one position. Other prominent tracks included "Dilemma" featuring Kelly Rowland, which sold more than 7.6 million copies globally, "Work It" featuring Justin Timberlake, "Air Force Ones" with Murphy Lee and the St. Lunatics, as well as "Pimp Juice" and "#1". By June 2003, the album had been certified six times multi-platinum. The track "Hot in Herre" earned Nelly the Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance in 2003.
In 2003, Nelly released Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention, which featured the single "Iz U" from Walt Disney's The Haunted Mansion soundtrack. The music video for a remix of Tip Drill stirred controversy due to allegations of misogyny, resulting in the cancellation of a scheduled appearance at a bone marrow drive at Spelman College in Atlanta. Similar critiques were aimed at his single "Pimp Juice". This album received Platinum certification from the RIAA. Furthermore, Nelly contributed "Shake Ya Tailfeather", featuring Diddy and Murphy Lee, to the Bad Boys II soundtrack; this song reached number one and won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
2004–2008: Continued success; Sweat, Suit, and Brass Knuckles
In February 2004, Nelly made his second appearance performing at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.
On September 14, 2004, he simultaneously released two albums: Sweat, which focused on rap, and Suit, an R&B-centered collection. Suit entered the charts at number one on Billboard’s albums list, while Sweat debuted at number two. From Suit, the ballad "Over and Over", a cross-genre duet with country artist Tim McGraw, became a significant hit. Nelly and McGraw performed this song during NBC’s 2004 concert special titled Tim McGraw: Here and Now. Towards the end of 2004, a rivalry developed between Nelly and fellow St. Louis rapper Chingy. Additionally, Nelly took part in NBC’s benefit event Tsunami Aid: A Concert for Hope, organized to support relief efforts following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.
In early 2005, Nelly released Sweatsuit, combining tracks from both previous albums along with three new songs. The single "Grillz", produced by Jermaine Dupri, reached number one on the charts. Together, these albums have sold over five million copies in the United States.
After several postponements from initial release dates set for October 16 and November 13, Brass Knuckles was finally released on September 16, 2008. The original lead single was "Wadsyaname", produced by Ron "NEFF-U" Feemstar and sampling K-Ci & JoJo's "All My Life", but it was eventually excluded from the final album tracklist. Instead, "Party People", featuring Fergie and produced by Polow da Don, served as the official lead single. Subsequent releases included "Stepped on My J'z", produced by Jermaine Dupri, featuring Dupri himself and Ciara, as well as "Body on Me", produced by Akon, who also appeared alongside Ashanti. Additionally, Nelly featured on Rick Ross's track "Here I Am", which included labelmate Avery Storm.
2009–2010: Partnerships and 5.0
During the summer of 2009, Nelly revealed plans for a new album, eventually named 5.0, scheduled for a 2010 release under his own name. The launch was postponed after the tragic death of his cousin Michael Johnson in Missouri. This album included collaborations with notable artists such as T-Pain, Chris Brown, Akon, Plies, T.I., Kelly Rowland, Birdman, DJ Khaled, Avery Storm, and Diddy-Dirty Money.
5.0 officially dropped on November 16, 2010. Its lead single, "Just a Dream", premiered on August 17, 2010, alongside the promotional track "Tippin' in da Club". Both singles were released to mainstream and Rhythm/Crossover radio stations on August 10. "Just a Dream" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 12, climbing to number 3 by its fourth week, with first-week sales reaching 888,000 downloads. This became Nelly's highest-charting hit since "Grillz" in 2005 and debuted at number 32 on the Canadian Hot 100. Globally, the single peaked at number 3 on Australia's ARIA Charts, number 29 in New Zealand, and number 52 in Switzerland.
The album's second single, "Move That Body", featuring T-Pain and Akon, was released on October 12, 2010. It entered the US Hot 100 at number 54 and reached number 29 on the Australian charts.
In October 2010, Nelly appeared on Mohombi's single "Miss Me", produced by RedOne. The following month, he performed at the high-profile Pacquiao vs. Margarito pay-per-view event held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The third single from 5.0, "Gone", acted as a follow-up to his worldwide hit "Dilemma" from 2002, once again featuring Kelly Rowland.
2011–2014: M.O. and The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep
In June 2011, Pitbull released "My Kinda Girl" featuring Nelly as part of the deluxe edition of Planet Pit. Later that year in December, Nelly issued his first solo mixtape, titled O.E.MO ("On Everything MO"), which included collaborations with artists such as T.I., 2 Chainz, and members of St. Lunatics.
By August 2012, Nelly had joined the coaching panel of The CW's reality competition The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep, alongside Gloria Estefan, John Rich, and Joe Jonas. In November of that year, he released his second mixtape titled Scorpio Season. The lead single from his seventh studio album M.O., called "Hey Porsche", reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2013 and secured top ten positions in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In April 2013, a remix of country duo Florida Georgia Line's hit "Cruise" featuring Nelly was unveiled. July brought the release of "Get Like Me" featuring Nicki Minaj and Pharrell Williams.
Nelly's album M.O. was officially released on September 30, 2013 via Republic Records.
2014–present: Television ventures and Heartland
Between 2014 and 2015, Nelly starred in the BET reality series Nellyville, which documented both his music career and personal life. On August 6, 2015, he introduced the single "The Fix" through his independent label "RECORDS". He also suggested that this release might be linked to an upcoming album.
By 2018, Nelly had signed with Columbia Records.
In 2020, he collaborated with Florida Georgia Line on "Lil Bit", a track from his country-inspired album Heartland. Additionally, he worked with country artists Kane Brown and Brett Kissel on remixes of their songs "Cool Again" and "She Drives Me Crazy". In February 2024, Nelly appeared on Jermaine Dupri's single "This Lil' Game We Play", alongside Ashanti and Juicy J.
As of August 2024, Nelly regularly performed at Hollywood Casino and Hotel located in Maryland Heights, Missouri. In January 2025, he announced a residency engagement at Zouk Nightclub within Resorts World Las Vegas, scheduled to run through August of that year.
Film and television career
Nelly's first appearance on the big screen was in the 2001 indie film Snipes, where he played the role of rapper Prolifik. He later featured in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard, sharing the screen with Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. His tracks "Errtime" and "Fly Away" were included on the film's soundtrack. By 2008, Nelly expressed hesitation about continuing his acting career, wanting to avoid detracting from the acting profession’s cultural integrity.
Between 2008 and 2009, he made guest appearances on the CBS crime series CSI: NY. In 2011, Nelly had a brief role on 90210. From 2014 through 2015, he starred in the reality series Nellyville, which aired for two seasons. Additionally, from 2013 to 2016, he was a main cast member on the mockumentary show Real Husbands of Hollywood.
In September 2020, Nelly participated in the 29th season of Dancing with the Stars, where he secured third place alongside his dance partner Daniella Karagach.
Artistry
Nelly’s rap technique is characterized by memorable hooks inspired by playground rhymes, double-dutch chants, and playful wordplay, all delivered with a recognizable "Missouri twang".AllMusic notes that his sound merges elements of country and urban music, reflecting his Southern and Midwestern heritage. In How to Rap, Nelly reveals that most of his lyrics are initially improvised before being polished, preferring to write primarily in the studio rather than at home. His creative process often begins with crafting the chorus first, followed by composing verses to complement the beat. His hooks frequently feature melodic singing rather than traditional rapping.
Personal life
From 2003 until 2013, Nelly was in a relationship with singer Ashanti, whom he met at the 2003 Grammy Awards. The couple rekindled their romance in 2023, marrying in December of that year and announcing they were expecting their first child together. Ashanti publicly confirmed their engagement and pregnancy in April 2024, with their child arriving on July 18, 2024.
Nelly is a father to two children from earlier relationships: a son named Cornell Haynes III (Tre) and a daughter named Chanelle (Nana). He also became guardian to two children following the passing of his stepsister Jaqueline Donahue due to leukemia in 2005. A devoted supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals and former St. Louis Rams, Nelly continues to back the Rams after their relocation to Los Angeles, attending their appearance at Super Bowl LVI in 2022.
Other ventures
In 2003, Nike collaborated with Nelly to release a limited-edition sneaker called the "Air Derrty," which was a retro take on Charles Barkley’s signature shoe. Two years later, in 2005, Nelly secured a footwear deal with Reebok. He has also appeared in commercials for Got Milk? and Ford Motor Company. His energy beverage, Pimp Juice, achieved sales of one million cans within two months following its launch in 2003 despite controversy surrounding its name. Nelly owns the women's apparel brand Apple Bottoms as well as the men's fashion line Vokal. He held a minority ownership stake in the Charlotte Bobcats, alongside Robert L. Johnson and Michael Jordan, until Jordan assumed majority ownership in 2010.
Nelly competed in the Main Event of the 2007 World Series of Poker and took part in both the PokerStars European Poker Tour and Caribbean Adventure events. In August 2010, he began hosting an afternoon radio show on St. Louis’s WHHL HOT 104.1.
September 2010 marked the release of his fitness DVD titled Celebrity Sweat, which demonstrated exercise routines and weight training techniques. The following year, he co-established Ex'treme Institute By Nelly—a music production academy based in St. Louis—in collaboration with Vatterott College.
In 2015, after a brief separation from Mike and Ike candy brand, Nelly reunited with them by releasing a promotional video named "The Return of Mike and Ike." In 2021, he partnered with Burger King to promote the "Cornell Haynes, Jr. Meal," part of their celebrity-focused "Keep It Real Meals" campaign highlighting menu options free from artificial ingredients.
Most recently, in April 2023, Nelly introduced "MoShine," his own moonshine brand that broadens his presence within the spirits industry.
Conflict with Chingy
During Nelly's 2002 Nellyville tour, St. Louis rapper Chingy served as an opening act but voiced displeasure regarding the tour's promotional efforts. It was reported that Nelly became increasingly annoyed by Chingy's growing popularity, particularly after Chingy signed with Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace (DTP) label following the tour. Nelly took offense at Chingy's assertion that he had no involvement in securing his record deal, stating in 2005: "For him to say that 'Nelly and all them didn't take no part in him getting a deal', is like saying 'RUN DMC and them didn't take any part on me getting a deal'."
On Nelly's 2004 album Sweat, the track "Anotha one" included lyrics interpreted as a diss aimed at Chingy, though Nelly later clarified that those lines were misunderstood. In retaliation, Chingy released the diss song "We Got" in January 2005. Efforts to reconcile at the 2005 Radio Music Awards were unsuccessful; however, by 2006, following mediation involving family members and encouragement from Nelly's sister Jackie Donahue prior to her passing, the two artists resolved their differences.
Philanthropic Efforts
Nelly established the charitable organization 4Sho4Kids Foundation. Alongside his sister Jackie Donahue, he initiated the Jes Us 4 Jackie campaign in 2003, aiming to increase bone marrow transplant awareness within minority communities; tragically, Jackie succumbed to leukemia in 2005. Beginning in 2006, Nelly has hosted the yearly "White and Black Ball" fundraiser in St. Louis, which provides scholarships annually and supports a fund dedicated to honoring Michael Brown.
In 2010, he actively participated in Do Something's Tackle Hunger initiative, motivating young people to collect a million pounds of food during the holiday season.
Marijuana Possession Misdemeanor (2015)
In April 2015, Tennessee law enforcement stopped Nelly’s tour bus due to regulatory violations. A search uncovered marijuana and related paraphernalia; initial suspicions of methamphetamine possession were later disproven. Charged with both felony and misdemeanor offenses, Nelly entered a guilty plea for misdemeanor marijuana possession and paraphernalia charges in December 2015, receiving one year of probation and having his record expunged upon completion of a diversion program.
IRS Tax Lien (2016)
A tax lien amounting to $2.4 million was filed against Nelly by the IRS in 2016 for unpaid taxes.
Rape Allegation and Arrest (2017)
In October 2017, Nelly was detained in Washington state on suspicion of second-degree rape but was released without formal charges after the accuser chose not to cooperate with authorities. He denied all accusations and filed a defamation countersuit; both legal actions were settled by 2018. Additional sexual assault claims emerged later that year in England and were likewise resolved through settlement agreements.
Arrest for Drug Possession and Insurance Violation (2024)
On August 7, 2024, St. Louis police arrested Nelly on a failure-to-appear warrant linked to a previous traffic violation involving lack of insurance proof. The stop occurred following a background check at a casino, during which officers discovered four ecstasy pills. He was released pending further investigation; his legal counsel condemned the arrest as excessive enforcement. In November 2024, prosecutors declared that no charges would be pursued.
Discography
Studio albums
- Country Grammar (released 2000)
- Nellyville (2002)
- Sweat (2004)
- Suit (2004)
- Brass Knuckles (2008)
- 5.0 (2010)
- M.O. (2013)
- Heartland (2021)
Film
| Year | Title | Character | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Snipes | Prolifik | Principal role |
| 2005 | The Longest Yard | Earl Megget | Supporting role; also contributed to soundtrack |
| 2014 | Reach Me | E-Ruption | Supporting role |
Television
| Year | Series | Role | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2009 | CSI: NY | Terrence Davis | Appeared in four episodes |
| 2011 | 90210 | Himself | Guest appearance; episode titled "Revenge with the Nerd" |
| 2011–2013 | T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle | Multiple cameo appearances across first two seasons | |
| 2012 | The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep | Contestant on reality show | |
| 2013–2016 | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Recurring role as himself | |
| 2014–2015 | Nellyville | Reality series centered on personal life and career | |
| 2017 | The Platinum Life | ||
| 2020 | Dancing with the Stars | Competitor, broadening media exposure |
Video Games
| Year | Game Title | Role Portrayed | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | NBA Street Vol. 2 | Himself | Featured as a playable character, extending celebrity influence into gaming sector |