Midwestern pop rap superstar Nelly began his career with the hip hop group The Lunatics and arrived at the turn of the century with songs like Country Grammar and Ride Wit Me. This prompted two Grammy nominations, first for Best Rap Solo Performance for the Single Country Grammar, as well as for Best Rap Album for the same-titled album which reached Number 1 on the US chart. This was followed by another nomination for his feature on Jagged Edge’s Where The Party At.

In 2002, Nelly released his Nellyville album, featuring Kelly Rowland’s duet Dilemma, which was nominated for Record Of The Year and won Best Rap Collaboration at the Grammys. On top of this was the Hot In Herre single which won the Grammy for Best Male Rap Solo Performance. Both of these were Number 1 US singles. The Nellyville album was also nominated for Album Of The Year.

Nelly’s single Shake Ya Tailfeather was also nominated for Best Rap Performance in 2003.

The Suit album followed in 2004, reaching Number 1 on the chart and featured another host of sure fire pop rap hits, including the single Grillz, which as a single was nominated for Best Rap Performance and the album for Best Rap Album too in 2004. Overall, Nelly has sold over 21 million albums and delivered a suite of hits that stand proud in the history of American songwriting.