Nelly
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Infobox_band
| band_name = Nelly
| image = Image:Nelly01.jpg
| caption =
| years_active = 2000-present
| origin = St. Louis, Missouri
| country =
| music_genre = Rap
| record_label = Universal
| website =
}}
Cornell Haynes Jr., more commonly known as Nelly (born November 2, 1974 in Austin, Texas), is a successful American Hip Hop artist who rose to fame in 2000.
Contents |
Music career
Nelly first came to mainstream audiences with Country Grammar (2000) and released Free City with the St. Lunatics in 2001. Country Grammar turned out to become a mainstream success that set the stage for his breakthrough album, Nellyville. Nellyville established him as one of the most famous rappers in the early 2000s, with an image of being equal parts handsome boy-next-door and tough gangsta. From the beginnings of his pop 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 shoutouts to billionaires Bill Gates and Donald Trump, as well as fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter. Image:Nelly - Sweat Suit - CD cover.jpg The 2002 single "Hot in Herre" was also tremendously popular (to the extent of being parodied by Weird Al Yankovic's "Trash Day"), as was its follow-up, "Dilemma," which featured vocals by Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child.
At the 45th annual Grammy Awards Nelly received two Grammys for Best Male Rap Solo Performance and shared a Grammy with Kelly Rowland for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
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 contract 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 NIKEtown stores. Limited to 1,000 pairs.)
The following year in 2004 Nelly won his third Grammy for his number one hit single "Shake Ya Tailfeather" which featured Murphy Lee & P.Diddy. On September 14, 2004, Nelly released two albums simultaneously, Sweat and Suit. Suit, an R&B-oriented album, 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 2006 he scored another #1 hit Grillz, which features Paul Wall.
Nelly's entire song catalogue - including hits he has co-written with Tim McGraw and NSync - is published by BMG Music Publishing.
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 played in a re-make of the Burt Reynolds' classic film, The Longest Yard starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock.
Business
He started his own clothing line called Vokal before his music career took off, 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 to be able to meet him in person. Nelly is also part owner of the NBA expansion team Charlotte Bobcats with BET founder Robert Johnson as of 2005.
Personal life
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, 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 kids, Chanel and Cornell Haynes Jr. AkA Tre. He is currently dating singer Ashanti. The two have been spotted and photographed together on many different occasions since 2003. Although he likes to keep his dating life private, he has somewhat revealed that him and the songtress "enjoy each others company".
Trivia
- Nelly spent part of his first years in Spain while his father was in the US Military.
- His first solo 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. [27 June 2000]
- Named "Best New Artist" at the 1st Annual BET Awards in 2001.
- Performed "Walk This Way" with Aerosmith and 'NSync at the 2001 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
- Always 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).
- Has a daughter, Chanel (b. 1994), and a son, Cornell III "Tre" (b. 1999).
- Nelly's "Ride Wit Me" was named Best Rap Video of 2001 at the MTV Video Music Awards. [6 September 2001]
- 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.
- Won Favorite New Male Artist at the 2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.
- Has his own clothing lines, Vokal and Apple bottoms.
- Named one of People Magazine's "Breakthrough Stars of 2001".
- Nominated for two 2002 Grammys: Best Rap Solo Performance ("Ride Wit Me") and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Where the Party At?" with Jagged Edge)
- Won the 2002 American Music Award for "Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist"
- 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), 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. 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
- Won 6 Billboard Music Awards in 2002 (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 received nominations in 8 other categories.
- Won the 2003 American Music Award for "Fan's Choice" and received 4 other nominations.
- Nominated for five 2003 Grammys: Album of the Year and Best Rap Album for "Nellyville", Record of the Year and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Dilemma", and Best Male Rap Solo Performance for "Hot in Herre". Nelly won for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Male Rap Solo Performance.
- When his sister Jackie Donahue needed a bone marrow transplant, Nelly helped her begin the Jes Us 4 Jackie campaign to raise awareness of the need for more bone marrow and blood stem cell donors. With this campaign, Nelly and Jackie hope to enroll more donors, especially among black Americans and other minority groups.
- Attended the same high school as actor Edgar L. Davis and Disney animator Marlon West.
- His older sister, Jackie Donahue, lost her 3-year battle with leukemia in March 2005, she was 31 years old.
- Has a deal with Nike, producing his own signature sneakers "Derrty One".
- Ranked #25 on BET's 25 Hottest Couples with singer/songwriter Ashanti.
Discography
Studio albums
- 2000 Country Grammar #1 US (5 weeks) (9x Platinum), #14 UK
- 2002 Nellyville #1 US (3 weeks) (6x Platinum), #2 UK
- 2003 Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention #12 US (Platinum)
- 2004 Suit #1 US (1 week) (3x Platinum), #8 UK
- 2004 Sweat #2 US (Platinum), #11 UK
- 2005 Sweat / Suit (two albums repackaged into one - international version) #41 UK
- 2005 Sweatsuit (two albums repackaged into one - US only, with new tracks) #26 US (Gold)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B/Hip-Hop | US Rap | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 2000 | "(Hot Shit) Country Grammar" | #7 | #5 | #1 | #7 | Country Grammar |
| 2000 | "E.I." | #15 | #10 | - | #11 | Country Grammar |
| 2001 | "Ride wit Me" (feat. City Spud) | #3 | #34 | - | #3 | Country Grammar |
| 2001 | "Batter Up" (feat. Murphy Lee & Ali) | - | #76 | - | #28 | Country Grammar |
| 2001 | "#1" | #22 | #20 | - | - | Nellyville/Training Day Sountrack |
| 2002 | "Hot in Herre" | #1 [7 weeks] | #1 | #1 | #4 | Nellyville |
| 2002 | "Dilemma" (feat. Kelly Rowland) | #1 [10 weeks] | #1 | #1 | #1 | Nellyville |
| 2002 | "Air Force Ones" (feat. Kyjuan, Murphy Lee & Ali) | #3 | #4 | #1 | - | Nellyville |
| 2003 | "Work It" (feat. Justin Timberlake) | - | - | - | #7 | Nellyville |
| 2003 | "Pimp Juice" | #58 | - | - | - | Nellyville |
| 2003 | "Shake Ya Tailfeather" (with P. Diddy & Murphy Lee) | #1 [4 weeks] | #3 | #1 | #10 | Bad Boys II Soundtrack |
| 2003 | "Iz U" | - | #51 | #23 | #36 | Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention |
| 2003 | "Work It" (feat. Justin Timberlake) | #58 | - | - | - | Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention |
| 2004 | "Flap Your Wings" | #52 | #18 | #14 | #1 | Sweat |
| 2004 | "My Place" (feat. Jaheim) | #4 | #4 | #2 | #1 | Suit |
| 2004 | "Tilt Ya Head" (feat. Christina Aguilera) | #58 | - | - | #5 | Sweat |
| 2004 | "Over and Over" (feat. Tim McGraw) | #3 | #51 | #7 | #1 | Suit |
| 2005 | "Na-Nana-Na" (feat. Jazze Pha) | - | #65 | - | - | Sweat |
| 2005 | "N Dey Say" | #64 | - | - | #6 | Suit |
| 2005 | "Errtime" (feat. Jung Tru & King Jacob) | #24 | - | - | Promo | The Longest Yard Soundtrack |
| 2005 | "Fly Away" | Promo | - | - | - | The Longest Yard [Soundtrack] |
| 2005 | "Grillz" (feat. Paul Wall, Ali, & Gipp) | #1 [2 weeks] | #2 | #1 | #24 | Sweatsuit |
| 2005 | "Nasty Girl" ( Notorious B.I.G. feat. P. Diddy, Nelly Jagged Edge & Avery Storm) | #46 | #38 | - | #1 | Sweatsuit/Duets: The Final Chapter |
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 | "Nellyille" | 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 |