| Nellyville
established him as one of the most famous rappers in the early 2000s,
with an image of being equal parts handsome boy-next-door and tough
gangsta. From the beginnings of his pop career, the lyrics of "Country
Grammar" explored this dichotomy, posing the question: "Who
says pretty boys can't be wild niggaz?" and containing references
to gun violence and drug use while also sending shoutouts to billionaires
Bill Gates and Donald Trump.
The 2002 single "Hot in Herre" (see also quote in Nudity)
was also tremendously popular, as was its follow-up, "Dilemma,"
which featured vocals by Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child.
In early 2003, Nelly released the controversial single, "Air
Force Ones". MTV, MTV2, and VH1 refused to air the video due
to product placement for the popular sneakers of the same name.
Their sister station, BET, however, played it.
On September 14, 2004, Nelly released two albums, "Sweat"
and "Suit." "Suit," an R&B-oriented album,
debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart and "Sweat,"
a rap-oriented album, debuted at #2. From the "Sweat"
album, the slow ballad "Over and Over", an unlikely pairing
with country music performer Tim McGraw, became another crossover
hit. Nelly performed the song with McGraw on the latter's CBS Television
concert special in 2004.
Hit
singles
2000 "(Hot Shit) Country Grammar" #7 US, #7 UK
2001 "E.I." #16 US, #11 UK
2001 "Ride wit Me" (feat. City Spud) #3 US, #3 UK
2001 "Batter Up" (with St. Lunatics) #28 UK
2001 "Where the Party At?" (Jagged Edge feat. Nelly) #3
US, #25 UK
2002 "Hot in Herre" #1 US, #4 UK
2002 "Dilemma" (feat. Kelly Rowland) #1 US, #1 UK
2002 "Air Force Ones" #3 US
2003 "Work It" (feat.Justin Timberlake) #7 UK
2003 "Shake Ya Tailfeather" (with P. Diddy and Murphy
Lee) #1 US, #10 UK
2003 "Iz U" #36 UK
2004 "My Place" #4 US, #1 UK (double A-side with Flap
Your Wings in the UK)
2004 "Over and Over" (feat. Tim McGraw) #3 US
2004 "Tilt Ya Head Back" (feat. Christina Aguilera) #5
UK
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