1. NUMBER 1 HITS
Nelly has 4 singles to reach #1 on the HOT 100 chart to date and his songs and collaborations have appeared on the Number #1 spot 58+ times across various Billboard Charts.
2. 4th Best Selling Hip Hop Album of All Time
The Midwest legend’s debut album remains the 4th best selling Hip Hop/Rap album in History. Selling well over 8 million copies worldwide. Lets just be clear, his 1st album is more than most folks musical career.
3. Chart Making Collaborations
Aside from Nelly’s solo songs and projects with The St. Lunatics he has an impressive list of collaborations. The ability to cross genres most have been a gift of his. Nelly would flow between Hip Hop, Country, R&B, Pop and Rock to create some of the most timeless collabs of all time. Some of those collaborations include:
Some CHART TOPPING Collabs:
- Dilemna with Kelly Rowland
- Call on Me with Janet Jackson
- Over and Over with Tim McGraw
- Girlfriend Remix with N’Sync
- Shake Ya Tailfeather with Pi Diddy , Murphy Lee
- Cruise Remix with Florida Georgia Line
- Where The Party At with Jagged Edge
- My Place with Jahiem
OTHER ARTIST he’s collaborated with include:
Simple Plan, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, Jeremih, Daley, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, Keri Hilson, Christina Aguilara, Ashanti, Ciara, Funkmaster Flex, Chris Brown, Akon, Fergie, and TI
4. Philanthropy
Nelly runs the non-profit organization 4Sho4Kids Foundation.
Before she passed away Nelly and sister Jackie started the The Jes Us 4 Jackie campaign after she herself was diagnosed with leukemia. The campaign educates folks about the need for bone marrow transplants. In addition they connect folks with donors and help register new ones.
Nelly’s White and Black Ball is a St.Louis fundraiser for graduates that aims to generate funds for various scholarships.
One of the scholarships was named after slain young man Michael Brown. This scholarship was created to bring awareness and also promote change in the Ferguson area.
The Black and White Ball has been instrumental in sending 2 students to collage every year for the last decade.
5. 7 Albums, 3 Extended Plays, and 2 Mix Tapes
In total Nelly has sold Over 21 million albums worldwide and that’s before the digital era. His debut album set historic numbers and remains an all time great. Nelly also was one of the only artist in history to successfully release a 2 albums at the same time “Sweat” and “Suit.” In addition to his studio albums he has 1 remix and 2 compilation albums.
6. Co-Founder of Extreme Institute College
In collaboration with Vatterott Colleges built and brought to life a quality music production college to downtown St.Louis. They would go on to expand its programs and dozens of students would go on to become music professionals until all Vatterott Colleges were sold.
7. St.Louis & Midwest Hip Hop Pioneer
While St. Louis has many rappers that came to fame in the 2000’s Nelly by far was the most successful. Along with the St. Lunatics they brought the attention and noise to the Midwest and definitely St. Louis. Withing a few years St. Louis was one of the most recognized cities in hip hop with a slew of artist climbing the charts.
8. 60 Million Net Worth
Well having such as successful music career and selling millions of albums of course comes with a nice pay check. Nelly however didn’t stop with his music fortune. As you’ll read later all of his endeavors in and outside of music have given him a nice bank account to sustain him for the rest of his life.
9. Entrepreneurship
Mr. Haynes would expand his reach inside the music business by starting his on label Derrty Entertainment with fellow St.Lunatics. But he didn’t stop there.
Nelly started his own clothing lines. One for women titled Apple Bottoms and one for men Vokal. Apple Bottoms would become a 2000’s trend.
He would also go on to start a very successful non carbonated energy drink brand called Pimp Juice. Nelly became 1 of the first celebrities to produce energy drinks on the market, as many would follow.
Nelly was also a part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats NBA team until sole ownership was bought by Michael Jordan.
The Shades Project 