Nelly
St. Louis rapper whose sing-song flow and diamond-selling Country Grammar put the Midwest on the hip-hop map.
Key albums
Country GrammarNellyvilleSuit
Key tracks
Country Grammar (Hot Shit)Ride wit MeHot in HerreDilemma (with Kelly Rowland)Shake Ya TailfeatherGrillz
Who is Nelly?
Nelly (Cornell Haynes Jr.) is a rapper, singer and actor from St. Louis, Missouri. He started out in the group St. Lunatics.
Known for
His debut Country Grammar (2000), which went diamond, and Nellyville (2002), with the number ones "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma" with Kelly Rowland. Both songs won Grammys.
Style
A melodic, sing-song flow with a heavy Midwest accent, catchy nursery-rhyme hooks and party energy.
Impact
Nelly was one of the best-selling rappers of the 2000s and showed that a hit could come from outside New York, LA and the South. His melodic approach paved the way for later rap-singers.
