He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and embarked on his musical career in 1993 as a member of the Midwest hip hop group St. Lunatics. He signed with Universal Records as a solo act in 1999 to release his debut studio album, Country Grammar (2000).

Nelly’s identity as an artist was deeply rooted in his Midwest upbringing, and he frequently highlighted his St. Louis pride. His distinct style was an amalgamation of local influences and Southern sounds, which helped him connect with audiences in Missouri and beyond.

May 19, 2020 · Nelly was born Cornell Haynes Jr. on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas. His parents divorced when he was young, and Nelly and his mother eventually moved from downtown St....

Born Cornell Haynes Jr., Nelly formed the St. Lunatics in 1993 with friends from University City High. His 2000 solo debut Country Grammar topped the Billboard charts, sold over 9 million copies and put St. Louis hip-hop in the national spotlight. 2002’s multi-platinum Nellyville included the #1 single “Hot in Herre,” which earned Nelly ...

Nelly grew up in St. Louis, MO, shaped by the sights and sounds of its inner-city neighborhoods. He started rapping in high school, influenced by Midwestern rappers like Chingy and St. Lunatics. The raw lyricism about street life on tracks like "Greed, Hate, Envy" showed Nelly‘s potential.

After his parents got divorced when he was seven, he lived with his mother in St. Louis and later relocated to University City, Missouri during his teenage years. In 1995, while he was still in high school, he became part of the hip hop group, ‘St. Lunatics’.

Dec 13, 2024 · Early Life and Family Background. Born in Austin, Texas, Nelly moved to St. Louis, Missouri, after his parents divorced when he was seven years old. Raised by his mother in University City, a suburb of St. Louis, he navigated the challenges of urban life, which later influenced his musical style.

Jun 8, 2018 · Nelly, an unmarried father of two, runs a St. Louis-based charity, 4sho4kids, to help those with drug addictions and developmental disabilities. In addition, the St. Lunatics participate in a St. Louis school-attendance program.

He moved back to states and got his education in St. Louis, Missouri. There he found himself moving in with relative to relative since his parents split, which happened when he was 8 years old,...

Jun 27, 2020 · From the start, Nelly made his hometown known just as much visually as he did audibly in his music; donning a Blues pullover and Cardinals jersey in the Country Grammar music video and riding in a St. Louis Rams-themed Cutlass in the E.I. video.