Nelly, a rapper, singer, and songwriter, is best known for his unique blend of hip-hop and R&B. With hits like "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma” he dominated the early 2000s music scene, earning multiple Grammy Awards. Active since the late 1990s, Nelly's smooth style and catchy hooks have left a lasting impact on popular music. Today, he continues to perform and make appearances on reality TV, maintaining his presence in the entertainment industry.
1993:
Formation of St. Lunatics - Nelly, born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., formed the hip-hop group St. Lunatics with his friends in St. Louis, Missouri.
2000:
Debut Album - Released his debut solo album "Country Grammar” which included the hit single "Country Grammar (Hot Shit)”. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified 10x platinum.
2001:
Success of "Ride wit Me" - The single "Ride wit Me" from "Country Grammar" became a top 10 hit, further establishing Nelly's presence in the music industry.
2002:
"Nellyville" Album - Released his second album, "Nellyville” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album included hit singles such as "Hot in Herre” "Dilemma" (featuring Kelly Rowland), and "Air Force Ones."
2004:
"Suit" and "Sweat" Albums - Released two albums simultaneously, "Sweat" and "Suit”. "Suit" debuted at number one, and "Sweat" debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The single "Over and Over" (featuring Tim McGraw) was a crossover hit.
2005:
Grammy Wins - Won Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Dilemma" and Best Male Rap Solo Performance for "Hot in Herre."
2008:
"Brass Knuckles" Album - Released "Brass Knuckles” featuring singles like "Party People" and "Body on Me."
2010:
"5.0" Album - Released the album "5.0” which included the hit single "Just a Dream."
2013:
"M.O”. Album - Released his seventh studio album, "M.O”. featuring collaborations with artists like Nicki Minaj and Pharrell Williams.
St. Lunatics: Nelly's hip-hop group that he formed in 1993. They had success with the single "Midwest Swing" and released the album "Free City" in 2001.
Nelly has won three Grammy Awards
2003: Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Dilemma" (featuring Kelly Rowland)
2003: Best Male Rap Solo Performance for "Hot in Herre"
2004: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Shake Ya Tailfeather" (with P. Diddy and Murphy Lee)
1. "Hot in Herre" (2002) - One of Nelly's most iconic songs, known for its catchy hook and production. It was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
2. "Dilemma" (featuring Kelly Rowland) (2002) - A duet with Destiny's Child's Kelly Rowland, "Dilemma" was a global hit and won a Grammy Award.
3. "Just a Dream" (2010) - A significant hit from his "5.0" album, "Just a Dream" marked a return to the charts for Nelly.
I think it’s very important that what we represent and the music that we make stays true to who we are and our own personal stories.