Nelly

Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., known to the world as Nelly, was born on November 2, 1974, in St. Louis, Missouri. He began his musical journey in 1993 as a member of the hip-hop group St. Lunatics, which laid the groundwork for his future success. In 1999, Nelly signed with Universal Records, marking the start of his solo career with the release of his debut album, Country Grammar, in 2000. The album was a commercial triumph, featuring hit singles like 'Country Grammar (Hot Shit)' and 'Ride wit Me,' both of which reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. Country Grammar peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 and achieved diamond certification from the RIAA.

Following the success of his debut, Nelly released his second album, Nellyville, in 2002, which produced two consecutive number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100: 'Hot in Herre' and 'Dilemma,' featuring Kelly Rowland. The album also included the popular track 'Air Force Ones.' Nelly's innovative approach continued with the simultaneous release of his next albums, Sweat and Suit, in 2004, which were later compiled into the album Sweatsuit. Both albums enjoyed significant success, with Sweat debuting at number two and Suit at number one, collectively selling an estimated seven hundred thousand units in their first week.

Throughout his career, Nelly has released several albums, including Brass Knuckles in 2008 and 5.0 in 2010, the latter of which featured the triple platinum single 'Just a Dream.' His later works, M.O. in 2013 and Heartland in 2021, received mixed reviews, with Heartland marking a notable shift towards country rap. Nelly's contributions to music have earned him numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards, solidifying his status as one of the most influential artists of his generation.

In addition to his music career, Nelly has ventured into acting, appearing in the 2005 film The Longest Yard alongside notable stars like Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. He has also made his mark in the fashion industry with the launch of his clothing line Vokal in 1997 and the womenswear line Apple Bottoms in 2003. With over twenty-one million albums sold in the United States, Nelly was ranked as the fourth-best-selling hip-hop artist in American music history by the RIAA in 2014, and he continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.