
Feature Photo: Photobra|Adam Bielawski, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Nelly built a career blending melodic hooks with Southern and Midwestern hip-hop sensibilities, creating a sound that defined mainstream rap during the early 2000s. His early life in St. Louis shaped the musical identity that later fueled his rise, and his initial work with the St. Lunatics introduced him to regional audiences long before he achieved national recognition. When the group struggled to secure a major label deal, he moved forward as a solo artist, setting the stage for a career that would bring him global success.
His debut album, Country Grammar, arrived in 2000 and quickly changed the direction of commercial hip-hop. Anchored by singles like “Ride wit Me,” “E.I.,” and “Country Grammar,” the album showcased his distinctive vocal phrasing and a rhythmic flow shaped by the music he encountered growing up. The record became one of the most successful hip hop debuts of its era and established Nelly as a new force in popular music. His second album, Nellyville, followed in 2002 with hits such as “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” the latter featuring Kelly Rowland. Both singles topped charts in the United States and showcased his ability to blend rap and R&B while maintaining mass appeal.
He continued building momentum with Sweat and Suit in 2004, two albums released simultaneously that highlighted different aspects of his musical personality. Suit leaned toward R&B-influenced material and generated the hit “Over and Over” with Tim McGraw, a collaboration that reflected Nelly’s interest in crossing genre boundaries. Sweat delivered club-oriented tracks and demonstrated his ability to shift between styles without losing his audience. He later released Brass Knuckles in 2008 and continued recording into the next decade with albums such as 5.0 and M.O.
Awards arrived steadily throughout his career. Nelly won multiple Grammy Awards, including honors for “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” and his contributions to collaborative projects. His work frequently landed at the top of the Billboard charts, and he became one of the best-selling rap artists of his time. His influence extended into film and television as well, with appearances in projects that introduced him to audiences beyond music.
Outside the recording studio, he remained active in philanthropy through the non-profit organization 4Sho4Kids, which focused on health-related initiatives, including support for children with leukemia. He also participated in bone marrow registration campaigns, using his visibility to encourage public involvement. In addition, he launched the Jes Us 4 Jackie initiative after his sister’s diagnosis, working to raise awareness about the need for African American donors within the national bone marrow registry.
Nelly also made his presence felt in business through ventures in fashion and sports. His clothing lines Vokal and Apple Bottoms became widely recognized during the early 2000s, and he secured ownership stakes in sports teams, including the Charlotte Bobcats. These ventures broadened his public profile and showed how his creative instincts extended beyond music.
Complete List Of Nelly Songs From A to Z
- #1 – Nellyville – 2002
- 100K – M.O. – 2013
- 1000 Stacks – 5.0 – 2010
- 5000 – Nellyville – 2002
- 5 Drinks Ago – Heartland – 2021
- Air Force Ones – Nellyville – 2002
- All Around the World – M.O. – 2013
- American Dream – Sweat – 2004
- Another One – Sweat – 2004
- Batter Up – Country Grammar – 2000
- Bay – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Body on Me – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Broke – 5.0 – 2010
- Boy – Sweat – 2004
- CG 2 – Nellyville – 2002
- Chill – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Ciroc & Simply Lemonade – M.O. – 2013
- Country Boy Do – Heartland – 2021
- Country Grammar (Hot Shit) – Country Grammar – 2000
- Dem Boyz – Nellyville – 2002
- Die for You – Suit – 2004
- Dilemma – Nellyville – 2002
- Dilemma (Remix) – Suit – 2004
- Don’t It Feel Good – 5.0 – 2010
- Don’t Stop – Sweat – 2004
- Down in da Water – Sweat – 2004
- E.I. – Country Grammar – 2000
- Errtime – The Longest Yard (Soundtrack) – 2005
- Flap Your Wings – Sweat – 2004
- Fly Away – Non-album Single – 2005
- Follow Me – Heartland – 2021
- For My – Country Grammar – 2000
- Freaky with You – Non-album Single – 2018
- Fu*k It Then – Nellyville – 2002
- Get Like Me – M.O. – 2013
- Get’cha Get’cha – Sweat – 2004
- Gettin’ It Started – Nellyville – 2002
- Giving Her the Grind – 5.0 – 2010
- Give U Dat – M.O. – 2013
- Go – 5.0 – 2010
- Good Times Roll – Heartland – 2021
- Gone – 5.0 – 2010
- Grand Hang Out – Sweat – 2004
- Greed, Hate, Envy – Country Grammar – 2000
- Grillz – Sweatsuit – 2005
- Grits & Glamour – Heartland – 2021
- Headphones – M.O. – 2013
- Heart of a Champion – Sweat – 2004
- Heaven – M.O. – 2013
- Hey Porsche – M.O. – 2013
- High Horse – Heartland – 2021
- Hold Up – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Hot in Herre – Nellyville – 2002
- I’m Number 1 – 5.0 – 2010
- IDGAF – M.O. – 2013
- If I Gave U 1 – 5.0 – 2010
- In My Life – Suit – 2004
- In the Store – Nellyville – 2002
- Interlude – Country Grammar – 2000
- Intro – Country Grammar – 2000
- Iz U – Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention – 2003
- Just a Dream – 5.0 – 2010
- k.I.s.s – 5.0 – 2010
- LA – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Let It Go Lil’ Mama – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Let’s Go – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Lie – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Lil Bit – Heartland – 2021
- Liv Tonight – 5.0 – 2010
- Long Gone – 5.0 – 2010
- Long Night – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Luven Me – Country Grammar – 2000
- Making Movies – 5.0 – 2010
- Maryland, Massachusetts – M.O. – 2013
- Mo’s Focused – M.O. – 2013
- Move That Body – 5.0 – 2010
- Ms. Drive Me Crazy – Heartland – 2021
- My Chick Better – M.O. – 2013
- My Place – Suit – 2004
- Na-NaNa-Na – Sweat – 2004
- ‘N’ Dey Say – Suit – 2004
- Nellyville – Nellyville – 2002
- Never Let ‘Em C U Sweat – Country Grammar – 2000
- Nobody Knows – Suit – 2004
- Not in My House – Nellyville – 2002
- Nothing Without Her – 5.0 – 2010
- Oh Nelly – Nellyville – 2002
- On the Grind – Nellyville – 2002
- One and Only – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Over and Over – Suit – 2004
- Outro – Country Grammar – 2000
- Paradise – Suit – 2004
- Party People – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Pimp Juice – Nellyville – 2002
- Playa – Sweat – 2004
- Play It Off – Suit – 2004
- Pretty Toes – Suit – 2004
- Problems – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Rick James – M.O. – 2013
- Ride wit Me – Country Grammar – 2000
- Ride wit Me (Remix) – Suit – 2004
- River Don’t Runnn – Sweat – 2004
- Roc the Mic (Remix) – Nellyville – 2002
- Say Now – Nellyville – 2002
- Self-Esteem – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Shake Whatever – M.O. – 2013
- Shake Ya Tailfeather – Bad Boys II (Soundtrack)/Murphy’s Law – 2003
- She Don’t Know My Name – Suit – 2004
- She’s So Fly – 5.0 – 2010
- Someone Somewhere – Heartland – 2021
- Spida Man – Sweat – 2004
- Splurge – Nellyville – 2002
- Spin the Block – Heartland 2.0 – 2025
- St. Louie – Country Grammar – 2000
- Steal the Show – Country Grammar – 2000
- Stepped on My J’z – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Stick Out Ya Wrist – Nellyville – 2002
- The Champ – Non-album Single – 2011
- The Fix – Non-album Single – 2015
- The Gank – Nellyville – 2002
- Tho Dem Wrappas – Country Grammar – 2000
- Thicky Thick Girl – Country Grammar – 2000
- Tilt Ya Head Back – Sweat – 2004
- U Ain’t Him – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- U Know U Want To – M.O. – 2013
- Ucud Gedit – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Utha Side – Country Grammar – 2000
- Wadsyaname – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Walk Away – M.O. – 2013
- Warrior – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Who Fucks wit Me – Brass Knuckles – 2008
- Woodgrain and Leather wit a Hole – Suit – 2004
- Work It – Nellyville – 2002
- Wrap Sumden – Country Grammar – 2000
Albums
Country Grammar (2000)
Nellyville (2002)
Sweat (2004)
Suit (2004)
Brass Knuckles (2008)
5.0 (2010)
M.O. (2013)
Heartland (2021)
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