Nelly, born Cornell Haynes, Jr., seems unfazed by his success, unblinded by the glare of stardom. For him, it’s the completion of a process that began years ago and continues to evolve; for him, it’s the fulfillment of a dream. And in spite of all the jewelry and cars, and despite all the splurging, his newfound success has brought, Nelly continues to keep his country roots intact. He is forever a mid-western boy, raised right and taught to say ‘excuse me,’ ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’
As his celebrity grows, the twenty-four year old star’s story has taken more breadth. He has become an international, multimedia icon touted by the entertainment industry for his achievements.
Nelly took the time from his BUSY promotions tour to talk with me about the new album and life after Country Grammar…
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What up, Nel? How the brotha doing…they ain’t running you too much are they?
Man (laughs)..you just don’t know…I just finished like three interviews at once…got spots in front of my eyes from the camera flashes…but, i’m doing…definitely can’t complain.
Tell me about the new album.
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It’s life after success…Nellyville shows my natural element…having a good time. The songs are vivid, real and alive, filled with the sights and sounds of a type of paradise that exists in my mind…Nellyville (laughs)…it’s when I’m out kicking it, when I’m having fun, or when I’m chillin’ with my folks. My life has been tough already growing up and that’s not really something I choose to dwell on. It wasn’t the most exciting time for me so I don’t choose to bring it up on every song, although I do touch on it sometimes. I think I will always touch on it but for the most part, on the majority of the album, we’re just rocking and rolling-it’s Nellyville’.
“Hot In Herre” (‘here’ with a St. Louie twist) is the Neptune produced first single off the album. Why that song as the debut single?
We’ve all been to a party that was hot, but we just won’t leave because it’s rocking. You’re like ‘It’s hot in here but I’m jammin’, I’m having a good time, I’m sweatin’.’ But, it’s a flame-throwing, soul-burning, shirt-sticking-to-your-skin party. It’s THAT kind of joint cause no matter how hot it is in there you don’t wanna leave.” And the hook on “Hot In Herre” features Dani Stevenson. Girly adds to the heat you know. We all knew Hot in Herre should be the first joint out the gate.
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Your first album, Country Grammar had three out the door hits and got you 3 grammy’s. now Hot In Here is blowing up. are you out top Grammar?
Grammar is an album unto itself and it wasn’t OUR first album, (pauses) I say “our” because first and foremost I’m a St Lunatic. We managed to get something on the radio in ’96, it got us to number one, as far as the local station. Sold almost 10,000 copies out our truck, and then local record stores and stuff like that. It helped us get that foundation, like St. Louis, the hometown. But they seem to be on the wagon and pushing it and pulling it and driving it, so it’s all good for us. So, to answer your question…we got love whether we “out-do” Country Grammar or not.
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What are some of your influences?
We get what’s hot on the East, we get what’s hot on the West, we definitely get what’s hot on the South and Midwest, for sure. We try to combine that, ’cause we’ve got a lot of rap acts in St. Louis. I listen to everybody from 2Pac, Biggie… when you say L.L., man, you know that’s a big influence right there. Snoop, Goodie M.O.B., Outkast. ‘Cause we’re like in the middle, so you gonna hear it all. But we still bump a lot of stuff from other regions and other areas.
you have the Neptunes working production on Hot In Herre…who else can we expect to hear on the ‘Ville?
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Definitely gonna show love to my mans up in Bassment Productions. The Neptunes are just one of the acts that appear on Nellyville. The Lunatics crew, of course…that’s family, not guests. Justin Timberlake from N Sync on “Work It“, Justin hooked me up on the remix of N Sync’s “Girlfriend“. We got Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland on “Dilemma“. It’s real nice. Kelly did her thing on that.
Getting on that..haters. There’s said to be some kind of beef between you and the Bblastmaster KRS-ONE, care to elaborate on it?
Naw…not really anything to say…I respect KRS-ONE…I think that should be enough. This beef stuff and responding to another MC thing is too much for me. I’m about taking care of my own and keeping the respect of my family and peers. That’s all.
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Well, Nelly i appreciated the time…good luck on the album and everything else…catch you on tour.
Good looking out bro…much love to all your readers from me and St Lou.
