Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., commonly known as Nelly, is an incredibly gifted artist in the music industry. His career skyrocketed to success with his early 2000s releases of “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” which were massive hits all over the world.
For more than two decades, Nelly has been a major figure in the music industry. From releasing several top-charting albums to winning numerous awards and collaborating with some of the biggest names in music, his success is undeniable. In this blog post, we will investigate what he’s up to now — it may surprise you!
Nelly’s Early Career
Before we understand the present-day success of Nelly, let’s take a brief journey into his past and explore how he got started. Born in Austin, Texas in 1974, Nelly shifted to St. Louis at an early age. He embarked on his musical career during the mid-90s as part of The St Lunatics – a renowned hip-hop group originating from Missouri.
In the year 2000, Nelly unleashed his debut solo album “Country Grammar” to great success; it sold over 10 million copies in the US alone and achieved Diamond certification. The record spawned several hit singles including “Country Grammar (Hot Shit)” and “Ride wit Me.”
Nelly’s Continued Success
After the success of “Country Grammar,” Nelly gained even more momentum with hit albums such as “Nellyville” (2002), “Sweat” (2004) and
“Brass Knuckles”(2008).
His most popular songs during this time, including smash, hits like “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” “Shake Ya Tailfeather” and “Grillz”, cemented him as one of the dominating forces on Top 40 radio. For his stellar achievements throughout his music career, he was rewarded with four Grammy Awards and two American Music Awards – a fitting testament to how incredible Nelly is!
In addition to his music career, Nelly has stepped into the world of film and television. His debut was in “Snipes” (2001) and he went on to star in critically-acclaimed films such as “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Reach Me” (2014). Additionally, fans have seen him guest appearances on shows like “CSI: NY” or “Real Husbands of Hollywood”.
Nelly’s Recent Endeavors
The multi-talented Nelly has been quite active this past year. In 2020, he joined the cast of season 29 of the renowned show “Dancing with the Stars” and partnered up with professional dancer Daniella Karagach to make it all the way to the semi-finals! His appearance on such a widely known program opened him up to an entirely new audience while simultaneously solidifying his role as a pop culture icon.
In 2021, Nelly unveiled his newest album “Heartland,” which fuses together hip-hop and country music sounds thanks to collaborations with renowned artists like Kane Brown and Florida Georgia Line. This unique blend of genres echoes the range of musical styles that Nelly himself enjoys as well as the varied fanbase he has gained over the years from his time on Dancing With The Stars.
Nelly has been making the most of his time with multiple business adventures. In 2020, he co-owned the Charlotte Hornets basketball team in North Carolina and launched his own line of energy drinks called “Pimp Juice,” a tribute to one of his famous songs from the early 2000s. Packed with four flavors, this drink is marketed as an alternate healthful option compared to existing energy beverages.
Nelly’s Philanthropic Work
Not only is Nelly well-known for his music and entrepreneurial projects, but he has also dedicated a significant amount of time to philanthropic causes. He’s supported many charities in the past such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs, and TJ Martell Foundation which works hard to generate funds for medical research on cancer and AIDS treatments. His commitment to these important causes continues to inspire others around him!
In 2005, Nelly established the “4Sho4Kids Foundation” to provide scholarships for disadvantaged children in St. Louis. The foundation has held a plethora of charitable events over the years, such as a star-studded basketball game and an annual toy drive during the Christmas season – granting gifts to kids who might have otherwise gone without them!
Conclusion
All in all, Nelly has achieved tremendous success throughout his two-decade span of illustriousness within the music industry. Not only has he dropped quite a few chart toppers, but he’s also taken home many awards and teamed up with several other A-list celebrities for partnering projects.
As Nelly has continued to grow as an artist and businessperson, he has also taken up acting, appearing on reality TV shows, owning a basketball team, and creating his own energy drink. While celebrating all of his achievements, Nelly hasn’t forgotten the importance of giving back – engaging in philanthropic work since the beginning of his career. Undoubtedly Nelly’s legacy will remain intact in both musics and beyond for years to come!
