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Nerry Iral Hayes, Jr. (born November 2, 1974State of Texas. Texas Birth Index (1903 - 1997). Texas Department of State Health Services. in Austin, Texas), is an American rapper from St. Louis, Missouri who experienced massive populaity in the early 2000s. Best known by his stage name, Nelly, he is one of the best-selling rap artists of all-time, with over 30 million albums sold worldwide. He has also achieved five number-ones in the UK (the most ever for a rap artist), four number-one Hot 100 singles, and three Grammy Awards.
Personal background
Born in Texas, but raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Nelly's accent exhibits a great deal of influence from this Midwestern upbringing, as his midwest twang mixed with a southern drawl is a result of growing up in the hybrid southern-midwest city of St. Louis. Nelly also spent part of his first years in Spain while his father was in the US Military. Raised in suburban University City, Nelly formed the St. Lunatics with his friends in the surrounding area. After much frustration and failed attempts, they decided Nelly would have a better shot at success as a solo act. He was soon picked up by Universal Music Group. His unique Midwest/Southern style still shines through and he continues to proudly acknowledge his St. Louis roots.
In 2001, Nelly's sister Jacqueline "Jackie" Donahue was diagnosed with leukemia. In 2003, Nelly and Jackie started the Jes Us 4 Jackie campaign, a search for a bone marrow donor. Although the search was unsuccessful for Jackie, who died March 24, 2005 of complications from leukemia when she was 31, the foundation was able to find matches for others, including two children from Jackie's hometown of St. Louis. Nelly has continued charity work related to this illness in her memory. Nelly also has 2 children: Chanel, who is 12 years old, and Cornell Haynes III, who is also known as Tre, who is 7. Nelly has been linked to Grammy Award-winning singer/actress Kelly Rowland and is now currently dating Grammy Award-winning singer/actress Ashanti as of 2003. In a little time he got a fortune of 85 milions of dollars
Music career
Nelly first came to mainstream audiences with the song "Country Grammar" (2000) and released Free City with the St. Lunatics in 2001.Nellyville established him as one of the most successful rappers of the early 2000s with the help of an image one part handsome boy-next-door and one part tough gangsters. From the beginnings of his hip/hop career, the lyrics of "Country Grammar" explored this dichotomy, posing the question: "Who says pretty boys can't be wild niggaz?" and containing references to gun violence and drug use while also sending shout outs to billionaires Bill Gates and Donald Trump, as well as fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter. The album Country Grammar, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 40. Nelly and Country Grammar were nominated for two 2001 Grammy Awards--Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance. On July 18, 2001, it was certified 7x platinum. "Ride Wit Me", off the Country Grammar album, was nominated for three 2001 MTV Video Music Awards--Best Male Video, Best Rap Video, and Viewer's Choice; it won the Best Rap Video award. Nelly was also named "Best New Artist" at the 1st Annual BET Awards in 2001. Other recognitions in 2001 include winning the Favorite New Male Artist award at the 2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards and being named one of People's "Breakthrough Stars of 2001".
In 2002, his sophomore album, Nellyville, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 714,000+ units. It stayed at #1 for 3 weeks. After only a month, it was certified triple platinum. "Hot in Herre" was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 7 weeks, followed immediately by "Dilemma", featuring Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child, which was #1 for 10 weeks. "Dilemma" was the first ever rap song to stay at #1 for 10 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2002 he also won the American Music Award for "Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist", as well as winning 6 Billboard Music Awards (Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Male Hot 100 Artist of the Year, Male R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, Rap Artist of the Year, and Rap Track of the Year for "Hot in Herre") and receiving nominations in 8 other categories.
In early 2003, Nelly released the controversial single, "Air Force Ones". MTV, MTV2, MuchMusic, and VH1 refused to air the video due to product placement for Nike's popular sneakers of the same name. BET, however, played it. (Nike and Nelly agreed on a 1-year deal in 2003 to release a limited-edition sneaker called the "Air Derrty" which was a retro remake of Charles Barkley's signature sneaker the Nike Air Max2 CB '94 which was released on June 13, 2003 at select NIKE town stores. Limited to 1,000 pairs.) He later made a deal with Reebok, stating, “I’ve always been into sneakers and throughout my career I’ve always wanted to have a signature pair of sneakers that truly reflect my personal style…It made the most sense for me to partner with Reebok because they fully understand and respect the culture of sports, music and entertainment.”
In 2003, Nelly received two Grammys for Best Male Rap Solo Performance and shared a Grammy with Kelly Rowland for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and he also won the 2003 American Music Award for "Fan's Choice" and received 4 other nominations.
In the following year, 2004, Nelly won his third Grammy for Murphy Lee's number-one hit single "Shake Ya Tailfeather" from the Murphy's Law CD which featured Nelly & P. Diddy. On September 14, 2004, Nelly released two albums simultaneously, Sweat and Suit. Suit, an R&B-oriented album which debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, and Sweat, a rap-oriented album, debuted at #2 on the same week. From the Suit album, the slow ballad "Over and Over", an unlikely duet with country music star Tim McGraw, became another crossover hit. Nelly performed the song with McGraw on the latter's CBS Television concert special in 2004. In 2005, he scored another #1 hit with "Grillz".
Nelly's entire song catalogue - including hits he has co-written with Tim McGraw and 'N Sync - is published by BMG Music Publishing.
Nelly feuded with legendary rapper KRS-One. During the feud, Nelly used the angle that KRS-One was a tired and old rapper, past his prime. KRS-One on the other hand, called Nelly out for being a bubble gum pop artist. While many believe that KRS-One easily beat Nelly technically and lyrically, some believe Nelly got the best of KRS-One due to the fact that Nelly is still selling records while KRS-One is not. This feud was even referenced by rapper Chino XL in his song "B-Boy". In it, Chino XL states "Nelly battling KRS-One, we gotta stop him! What's next? Beyonce battling Rakim?"
Acting career
In 2002, Nelly segued from rapping to acting when he appeared in a starring role in the independently released film Snipes, and the superstar rapper/entrepreneur/actor/athlete has also played in a re-make of the Burt Reynolds' classic film, The Longest Yard starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock.
Business endeavors
He started his own clothing line called Vo'Kal Clothing before his music career took off with his cousin Yomi Martin, and he and his crew have often had its logo featured prominently on their clothing in music videos and public appearances. He also has a clothing line for women called Apple Bottoms.
Nelly is also a co-sponsor of the non-carbonated sports energy drink, Pimp Juice. The company also holds many contests, many of which have prizes of meeting him in person. Nelly is also part owner of the NBA expansion team Charlotte Bobcats with BET founder Robert Johnson and NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Trivia
- Performed "Walk This Way" with Aerosmith and Britney Spears at the 2001 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
- Usually wears clothing bearing the logos of St. Louis sports teams.
- His trademark chants include "E.I., E.I.!" (which means "Yes, bring it on!") and "Uh-oh, uh-oh!"
- His trademark hand gesture is an L formed with one or both hands (the L stands for "Lunatics").
- Has three tattoos: "Lunatic" (above his navel), a human heart appearing to emerge from his chest (upper left chest), and five playing cards and dice (right arm).
- Nelly's "Ride Wit Me" music video is based on the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit.
- Has started two new trends amongst his fans: wearing sports jerseys backward (such that one's favorite player's name is on one's chest rather than back) and wearing a Band-Aid on either cheek.
- Wears Band-Aid on cheek in order to express solidarity with his incarcerated brother, City Spud (Lavell Webb).
- Nelly is tied with Sir Elton John for the most consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 by a male solo artist.
- Ranked #39 on Entertainment Weekly's 2002 "101 Most Powerful" List
- Featured in Teen People's "25 Hottest Stars Under 25" issue in 2001 and 2002
- Attended the same high school, University City Senior High School, as athlete Bernard Gilkey, actors Edgar L. Davis and Leonard Roberts, Disney animator Marlon West, and jazz musicians Peter Martin, Todd Williams, Jeremy Davenport, and Neil Caine.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | U.S. | UK | Sales Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Country Grammar | 1 | 14 | align="left" valign="top" 9,456,000 |
| 2002 | Nellyville | 1 | 2 | 7,324,000 |
| 2003 | The Reinvention | 2 | - | 2,345,000 |
| 2004 | Suit | 1 | 8 | 3,363,000 |
| 2004 | Sweat | 2 | 11 | 2x Platinum |
| 2005 | Sweat / Suit (two albums repackaged into one - international version) | - | 41 | Gold |
| 2006 | Sweatsuit (two albums repackaged into one - U.S. only, with new tracks) | 26 | - | Platinum |
Singles
| Year | Song | U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | UK singles | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "(Hot Shit) Country Grammar" | #7 | #5 | #1 | #7 | Country Grammar |
| 2000 | "E.I." | #15 | #10 | - | #11 | Country Grammar |
| 2001 | "Ride wit Me" (featuring City Spud) | #3 | #34 | - | #3 | Country Grammar |
| 2001 | "Batter Up" (featuring Murphy Lee and Ali) | - | #76 | - | #28 | Country Grammar |
| 2001 | "#1" | #22 | #20 | - | - | Nellyville / Training Day Sountrack |
| 2001 | "Where The Party At?" (Jagged Edge featuring Nelly) | - | #3 | - | #25 | Jagged Little Thrill |
| 2002 | "Hot in Herre" | #1 | #1 | #1 | #4 | Nellyville |
| 2002 | "Dilemma" (featuring Kelly Rowland) | #1 | #1 | #1 | #1 | Nellyville |
| 2002 | "Girlfriend" ('N Sync featuring Nelly) | #5 | - | - | #2 | Celebrity |
| 2002 | "Air Force Ones" (featuring Kyjuan, Murphy Lee and Ali) | #3 | #4 | #1 | - | Nellyville |
| 2003 | "Work It" (featuring Justin Timberlake) | - | - | - | #7 | Nellyville |
| 2003 | "Pimp Juice" | #58 | - | - | - | Nellyville |
| 2003 | "Shake Ya Tailfeather" (with P. Diddy and Murphy Lee) | #1 | #3 | #1 | #10 | Bad Boys II Soundtrack |
| 2003 | "Iz U" | - | #51 | #23 | #36 | Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention |
| 2003 | "Work It (Reinvention)" (featuring Justin Timberlake) | #58 | - | - | - | Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention |
| 2004 | "Flap Your Wings" | #52 | #18 | #14 | #1 | Sweat |
| 2004 | "My Place" (featuring Jaheim) | #4 | #4 | #2 | #1 | Suit |
| 2004 | "Tilt Ya Head Back" (featuring Christina Aguilera) | #58 | - | - | #5 | Sweat |
| 2004 | "Over and Over" (featuring Tim McGraw) | #3 | #51 | #7 | #1 | Suit |
| 2005 | "I Wish I Didn't Know" (featuring Alsou) | - | - | - | #68 | - |
| 2005 | "N Dey Say" | #64 | - | - | #6 | Suit |
| 2005 | "Errtime" (featuring Jung Tru and King Jacob) | #24 | - | - | - | The Longest Yard Soundtrack |
| 2005 | "Fly Away" | - | - | - | - | The Longest Yard Soundtrack |
| 2005 | "Grillz" (featuring Paul Wall, Ali, and Gipp) | #1 | #2 | #1 | #24 | Sweatsuit |
| 2005 | "Nasty Girl" ( Notorious B.I.G. featuring P. Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge and Avery Storm) | #46 | #38 | - | #1 | Sweatsuit / Duets: The Final Chapter |
| 2006 | "Call on Me" (with Janet Jackson) 1 | #60 | #16 | - | - | 20 Years Old |
| Notes: | ||||||
Grammy Award History
Career Stats
- Career Wins: 3
- Career Nominations: 11
| Year | Category | Genre | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Best Rap Album | Rap | Country Grammar | Nominated |
| 2001 | Best Rap Solo Performance | Rap | "Country Grammar" | Nominated |
| 2002 | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Rap | "Where's The Party At" | Nominated |
| 2002 | Best Rap Solo Performance | Rap | "Ride With Me" | Nominated |
| 2003 | Best Rap Album | Rap | Nellyville | Nominated |
| 2003 | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Rap | "Dilemma" | Won |
| 2003 | Best Male Rap Solo Performance | Rap | "Hot In Herre" | Won |
| 2003 | Record of the Year | General | Dilemma | Nominated |
| 2003 | Album of the Year | General | Nellyville | Nominated |
| '''2004 | Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group | Rap | "Shake Ya Tailfeather" | Won |
Notes
External links
1974 births | American rappers | People from Austin, Texas | St. Louisans | St. Louis Walk of Fame | Rhythmic Top 40 acts | Grammy Award winners | St. Louis music | Living people | Charlotte Bobcats | Vegetarians | Missouri musicians | Super Bowl halftime performers | People known by pseudonyms
"Nelly"