Nelly

Biography

Cornell Haynes, Jr., widely recognized as Nelly, was born on November 2, 1974, and has emerged as a prominent figure in the American music scene, particularly as a rapper and singer. Nelly's musical journey began in 1993 when he teamed up with the St. Lunatics, a group he co-founded. His major breakthrough came in 2000 with the release of his debut solo album, *Country Grammar*, which made an impressive debut at #3 on the Billboard 200 before reaching the top spot. The album's title track became a top ten hit, and it remains his best-selling work, with over 8.4 million copies sold in the U.S.

Following this success, Nelly released *Nellyville*, which featured chart-topping singles like "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma," a duet with Kelly Rowland. His innovative approach continued with the simultaneous release of *Sweat* and *Suit* in 2004, both achieving remarkable sales. *Sweat* debuted at #2 while *Suit* claimed the #1 position on the Billboard 200.

Nelly's fifth studio album, *Brass Knuckles*, was released in 2008, showcasing hits like "Party People" featuring Fergie. The 2010 album *5.0* included the platinum-certified single "Just a Dream." Throughout his career, Nelly has earned Grammy Awards, ventured into acting with a role in *The Longest Yard*, and established successful clothing lines, Vokal and Apple Bottoms. With 21 million albums sold in the U.S., he stands among the best-selling male artists in American history and was ranked by Billboard as the #3 Top Artist of the Decade in 2009.