Nelly

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Full Bio One of the more unique rap talents to emerge during the 2000s, Nelly (born Cornell Hayes, Jr.) owed much of his individuality to his geographic origins. Whereas other rappers could be tied to various schools (southern rap, east coast rap, etc.), Nelly hailed from St. Louis, MO, and thus produced a sound entirely his own; he fused urban rap with southern rap to create an unusual hybrid and sported a voice that blended a Midwestern twang with a distinctly Southern drawl. Nelly debuted with a hit single in the summer of 2000 (&"Country Grammar (Hot)," then bucked widespread accusations of being a novelty act with a series of blockbuster follow-ups. Albums included the 2002 release ^Nellyville and the 2004 releases ^Suit and ^Sweat.