Here are some interesting things about Nelly. He is just one of many entertainers already booked for the 2014 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage. To book a cabin, check out pricing, the itinerary, and see who else will be performing, click here: Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage 2014
Behind the Jam: 2014 Fantastic Voyage Performer, Nelly was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
1. Nelly 2001
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. better known as Nelly was born on November 2, 1974 in Austin, TX where his father was serving in the military.
2. Nelly 2002
His parents divorced when he was seven and he moved with his mother from inner city St. Louis to suburban University City, Missouri as a teenager.
3. Nelly 2003
While still in high school, Nelly formed the St. Lunatics, who enjoyed local popularity with their single “Gimme What Ya Got”.
4. Nelly 2004
Nelly’s rapping style has been described as using “unforgettable hooks based on schoolyard songs, double-dutch chants, and nonsense rhymes” with a Missouri twang.
5. Nelly 2005
Nelly began listening to artists like Rakim, LL Cool J, Run–D.M.C., Outkast, Goodie Mob and Jay-Z. He became convinced that his gift for rap could be parlayed into a career. He has his own style of rap which he likes to describe as a jazz form of hip hop.
6. Nelly 2007
The RIAA ranks Nelly as the fourth best-selling rap artist in American music history, with 21 million albums sold in the U.S. In 2009, Billboard ranked Nelly the number three Top Artist of the Decade.
7. Nelly 2008
Nelly is also an actor. He had the lead role in the film ‘Snipes’ in 2001, a supporting role in ‘The Longest yard’ and sang on the soundtrack. He had cameo appearances on 90210, T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle, and had a recurring role as Terrence Davis on three episodes of CSI: New York.
8. Nelly 2009
He has two clothing lines, Vokal and Apple Bottoms and introduced an Apple Bottom fragrance in 2010.
9. Nelly 2010
Nike and Nelly agreed on a one-year deal in 2003 to release a limited-edition sneaker called the “Air Derrty”, which was a retro remake of Charles Barkley’s signature sneaker.Nelly later signed a shoe deal with Reebok.
10. Nelly 2011
Nelly runs the non-profit organization 4Sho4Kids Foundation. The Jes Us 4 Jackie campaign began in March 2003 by Nelly and his sister Jackie Donahue after Donahue was diagnosed with leukemia. In 2010, Nelly endorsed Do Something’s Tackle Hunger campaign.
11. Nelly 2012
“Hot in Herre” won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance in 2003. Another number-one hit, “Shake Ya Tailfeather” won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
12. Nelly 2013
Nelly has two children: daughter Chanell Haynes was born in 1994 and his son Cornell Hayes III was born in 1999.
