Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. (born November 2, 1974) known by his stage name Nelly, is a rapper from St. Louis, Missouri, who experienced popularity in the early 2000s. He is one of the best-selling rappers of all-time, with over forty million albums sold worldwide. He has also achieved three number ones in the United Kingdom (four including his vocal contribution to "Nasty Girl" by Notorious B.I.G.), four U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, and three Grammy Awards.

He was featured in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard starring alongside Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. This hit was a smaller blockbuster and racked up a good promising future for this hip hop star. The film debuted at number three at the American box office behind Star Wars Episode III and Madagascar (the latter of which also stars Chris Rock) and became MTV Films' most successful release grossing over a hundred million U.S. dollars in the U.S. alone. Nelly's first film was called "Snipes" with Zoë Saldaña. Because of a lack of adequate funds, the film was never widely released in cinemas, but has since made a VHS and DVD release, and can be ordered through major retailers. The film has also been featured on BET. It was filmed very early in the St. Lunatic member's career.

Nelly was part of a clothing line created with cousin Yomi Martin called Vokal.http://www.vokal.com/ Vokal was actually a prototype line started by another St. Louis Businessman. Nelly and his crew have often had its logo featured prominently on their clothing in music videos and public appearances. Vokal, in its earliest stages can be seen on various people in Nelly's video for "Country Grammar", including the small children dancing. What once started as a means of funds and support for the St. Lunatics, the line later grew into a million dollar business venture for Nelly years later. The line has since slowed down and can now mainly be found on the Internet. More recently, Yomi Martin has said that Vokal will make a full launch once again near the end of 2007.

He also has a clothing line for women called Apple Bottom Jeans which has gained national notoriety and success for Nelly with millions in sales and a successful year in 2006.

Nelly is also a co-sponsor of the non-carbonated sports energy drink, Pimp Juice. Nelly is also part owner of the NBA expansion team Charlotte Bobcats with B.E.T. founder Robert L. Johnson and NBA legend Michael Jordan.

Two of Nelly's songs were featured in General Motors different commercials that premiered during Super Bowl XLI. The songs were E.I. and Hot In Herre. The commercials are now regularly played.

Nelly also sponsors a St. Louis area AAU basketball team called the Derrty Ballers.

He currently lives in the St. Louis suburb of Lake St. Louis, in St. Charles County, Missouri. Contrary to popular belief, Nelly was not raised in the City of St. Louis, but actually raised in the St. Louis suburb of University City, Missouri, in St. Louis County, where he attended the University City High School. Nelly has been dating singer Ashanti quietly since 2003. He has the white patch under his eye because, he took revenge for a murder of his friend, then had a tear drop tatto placed on his face, to represent the revenge

*2000: Country Grammar (9x Platinum) *2002: Nellyville (6x Platinum) *2004: Suit (3x Platinum) *2004: Sweat (Platinum) *2007: Brass Knuckles

Career Stats *Career wins: 3 *Career nominations: 11

*Official site *Official Myspace *Other Official Myspace *