Nelly is an American rapper, singer and actor, born in Austin, Texas and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.
He gained popularity in the early 2000s with his debut album, Country Grammar, which included hits like Country Grammar (Hot…) and Ride Wit Me.
Nelly’s unique style, blending hip-hop, R&B and country elements, set him apart in a rap landscape dominated by the coasts.
He continued to push genre boundaries with collaborations and features, working with artists like Kelly Rowland, Pitbull and Florida Georgia Line.
Nelly’s success includes three Grammy Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards.
He also ventured into television with the reality show Nellyville and the coaching role on The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep.
| Net worth | $70 million |
| Professsion | Actor, rapper, singer |
| Date of birth | November 2, 1974 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
Nelly was born on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas.
He spent his early years in Spain and moved to St. Louis, Missouri for elementary school.
Nelly’s parents divorced when he was eight years old.
He has a sister named Jackie Donahue and a half-brother named Lavell Webb (a.k.a. City Spud).
Nelly’s father, Cornell Haynes Sr., served in the Air Force for most of his childhood.
After his parents’ divorce, he moved with his mother from St. Louis to University City, where he attended high school.
During high school, Nelly formed St. Lunatics with his friends and released the single Gimme What Ya Got in 1996.
However, the group struggled to achieve success outside of St. Louis.
Nelly signed with Universal Music Group in 1999 and released his debut single, Country Grammar (Hot Shit), in February 2000.
His debut studio album, Country Grammar, was released by the label in June and became a commercial success.
Nelly’s father reportedly was abusive, and his mother, Rhonda Mack, could barely afford to take care of him.
Nelly has been in a relationship with girlfriend Shantel Jackson since 2014.
In late 2017, a 22-year-old University of Washington student sued the entertainer, claiming he sexually assaulted her on his tour bus and later damaged her reputation in his public denials.
A lawyer for Nelly denounced the lawsuit as being ‘motivated by greed’ and said his client would countersue.
The charges were eventually dropped.
Net worth
Nelly’s net worth in 2024 is estimated to be around $70 million.Â
This impressive wealth is attributed to his successful music career, business ventures and television appearances.
Nelly’s music, including hit albums like Country Grammar and Nellyville, has been a significant contributor to his net worth, with over 21 million records sold in the United States and 40 million globally.
Additionally, his entrepreneurial endeavors, such as clothing lines like Vokal and Apple Bottoms and investments like owning a stake in an NBA team, have further boosted his financial success.
Moreover, Nelly’s participation in reality TV shows and his diverse business portfolio, including ventures like MoShine spirits and philanthropic efforts, have all played a role in solidifying his substantial net worth.
Catalog sale
Nelly recently sold 50% ownership of his song catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners for $50 million.
The deal includes some of his most iconic tracks, such as Ride Wit Me, Dilemma featuring Kelly Rowland, and Hot in Herre, which all topped the Billboard Hot 100 for multiple weeks.
Nelly stated that he wanted to preserve his artistry and ensure his music reaches new generations and audiences.
HarbourView Equity Partners, founded by Sherrese Clarke Soares, has also acquired catalogs from artists like Lady A, Brad Paisley and Incubus in recent years.
Nelly has won three Grammy Awards and three American Music Awards throughout his career and recently released his eighth studio album, Heartland, which is his first fully country-inspired album.
The sale of his catalog has been a topic of discussion, with Nelly defending his decision.
Tax issues
Nelly faced significant tax issues in 2016 when he owed a staggering amount of back taxes to the IRS.
According to reports, he had a federal tax lien of $2,412,283 for unpaid taxes from 2013.
Additionally, he also owed $149,511 in unpaid state taxes to the Missouri Department of Revenue for the same year.
To address this financial burden, Nelly’s fans rallied around him by streaming his songs on platforms like Spotify to help him generate income to pay off his debts.
The streaming campaign aimed to alleviate his tax woes, with fans needing to stream his songs hundreds of millions of times to make a substantial impact on his tax.
Real estate
Nelly has been involved in real estate properties and houses in Missouri.
He owned a mansion located at 17329 Hidden Valley Drive in Wildwood, Missouri, situated on 12 acres of land.
Nelly purchased this mansion in 2002 for $1,925,000 with the intention of flipping it but abandoned the project, leaving the home vacant for years.
After being listed for $599,000, the mansion finally sold in September 2021 for $982,50012345.
This Tuscan-style mansion features 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a game room, a media room, a basketball court, a three-car garage and scenic views of the Meramec River valley.
Despite needing significant renovations, the property was considered an “amazing investment opportunity” due to its potential and location near the Hidden Valley Ski Resort.
Career
Nelly embarked on his musical career in 1993 as a member of the Midwest hip hop group St. Lunatics.
His debut album, Country Grammar, was a massive success, selling over 10 million copies in the U.S. and earning him three Grammy Awards.
Nelly’s subsequent albums, including Nellyville, Sweat, Suit and Brass Knuckles, also achieved significant commercial success.
His music is characterized by his unique approach, blending hip-hop, R&B, and pop, and his signature country twang.
His hits, such as Hot in Herre, Dilemma, Country Grammar (Hot Shit), Air Force Ones, Shake Ya Tailfeather, Grillz, Over and Over, My Place and Ride wit Me, have resonated with fans worldwide.
He has won numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, and two Billboard Music Awards.
In addition to his music career, Nelly has ventured into film and television, starring in the 2005 sports film, The Longest Yard, and appearing in various reality television shows, such as Nellyville, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and The Platinum Life.
He has also launched clothing lines, including Vokal and Apple Bottom, and founded the 4Sho4Kids Foundation, which raises money and awareness for various children’s health issues.
Nelly’s career has been marked by his ability to transcend genres and connect with a diverse audience, making him one of the most successful and influential rappers of his generation.
Tours
Nelly is currently on tour across 2 countries with 43 upcoming concerts scheduled for 2024 and 2025.
Some recent reviews from fans attending his concerts have highlighted mixed experiences, with comments on the show’s length, VIP experience, and appropriateness of the performances.
Nelly, a prominent hip hop artist, has a rich history in the music industry, with hits like Hot in Herre and Ride wit Me.
He has also ventured into business, releasing his own energy drink and becoming a minority owner of an NBA team.
Nelly’s concerts are known for his energetic performances and a mix of his popular songs, making them enjoyable for fans.
Awards
Nelly has won three Grammy Awards, including for Best Male Rap Solo Performance for Hot in Here and Best Rap Song Collaboration for Dilemma featuring Kelly Rowland.
He has also been recognized with 13 wins and 64 nominations across various award categories, including the American Music Awards, BET Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Black Reel Awards and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.
Nelly’s album Nellyville won the Best Album of the Year award at the Teen Choice Awards in 2002, and his song Dilemma was nominated for Best Video of the Year at the same event.
He has also been nominated for various awards at the Teen Choice Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and MuchMusic Video Awards.
In addition to his music awards, Nelly has also been recognized for his acting and fashion contributions.
He won the Choice Rap Artist in a Movie award at the Teen Choice Awards in 2005 and was nominated for the Best Male Hip Hop Artist award at the BET Awards in the same year.
Nelly has also been nominated for various awards at the Grammy Awards, including for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group for Grillz and Best Rap Album for the album, Suit.
He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including hosting the largest African American bone marrow drive to date and endorsing Do Something’s Tackle Hunger campaign.
Nelly is also the founder of the Ex’treme Institute by Nelly, a music production school in St. Louis.
Philanthropic works
Nelly is known for his philanthropic efforts through the 4Sho4Kids Foundation, which he founded to help children born addicted to drugs and children with developmental disabilities.
He also created the Jes Us 4 Jackie campaign to educate the importance of bone marrow transplants and encourage more African-Americans to register as donors, inspired by his sister’s leukemia diagnosis.
Nelly has supported Do Something’s Tackle For Hunger Campaign, which fights teen hunger by collecting food for holiday seasons.
He has been hosting the White and Black Ball since 2006, which serves as a fundraiser for scholarships and a platform to spread awareness about the 4Sho4Kids Foundation, Jes Us 4 Jackie campaign and Tackle For Hunger campaign.
In 2023, Nelly’s 11th Black and White Ball took place, raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and scholarships for Harris Stowe State University.
Legal issues
Nelly has faced multiple sexual assault allegations and investigations in recent years.
In October 2017, a woman accused Nelly of raping her on his tour bus in Auburn, Washington, after a concert.
Nelly was arrested and charged with second-degree rape, but the charges were later dropped due to the accuser’s unwillingness to testify.
In December 2017, another woman claimed that Nelly sexually assaulted her after a concert at Cliffs Pavilion in Southend, England.
This investigation was also dropped after the woman refused to testify.
In addition to these allegations, Nelly has faced accusations of being a gold digger and making false claims against him.
He has also been involved in a lawsuit with Monique Greene, who accused him of sexual assault and defamation.
The lawsuit was settled in September 2018, with both parties agreeing to pay their own attorneys’ fees and costs.
Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, has denied the allegations and stated that the accusers are motivated by greed and vindictiveness.
Despite these allegations, Nelly has continued to work in the music industry and collaborate with other artists.
He has appeared at numerous country festivals, CMT specials, and the ACM Honors, and has collaborated with artists such as Tim McGraw and Jimmie Allen.
This has raised questions about the music industry’s handling of sexual assault allegations and the inconsistencies in how artists are treated.
Personal life
Nelly has four children, namely Chanelle Haynes, Cornell Haynes III, Shawn Thomas and Sydney Thomas.
Chanelle Haynes, also known as Nana, is Nelly’s eldest daughter from his relationship with Channetta Valentine.
She was born in 1994 and is close to her father.
Cornell Haynes III, also known as Tre, is Nelly’s son from the same relationship with Channetta Valentine.
He was born in 1999 and shares a strong bond with his sister Chanelle.
Shawn Thomas, also known as Lil’ Shawn, is Nelly’s nephew whom he adopted after his sister Jackie Donahue’s death in 2005.
Sydney Thomas, also known as Stink, is Nelly’s niece whom he also adopted after his sister’s death.
Nelly has been a single father since 2014 and has spoken about the challenges and rewards of raising his children.
He has also expressed his gratitude for the support of his family during difficult periods of transition and grief.
