Nelly

Nelly emerged from St. Louis in 2000 with his debut album "Country Grammar," bringing a melodic, singalong approach to hip-hop that set him apart from coastal rap scenes. His 2002 album "Nellyville" spawned the massive hit "Hot in Herre" and sold millions of copies worldwide. Throughout the 2000s, Nelly crossed over into pop and collaborated with artists across multiple genres while maintaining his distinctive Midwest rap sound.