##Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., famously known as Nelly, is an American rapper and entrepreneur…
He rose to prominence in the early 2000s with the smash songs “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” which became pop culture mainstays.
Nelly is known for his particular musical style and contributions to the hip-hop genre as a member of the St. Lunatics.
Personal Profile
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. |
| Stage Name | Nelly Plaster |
| Born | November 2, 1974 |
| Age | 50 years |
| Birthplace | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Rapper and Entrepreneur |
| Height | 1.73 m |
| Parents | Cornell Haynes Sr. and Rhonda Mack |
| Siblings | City Spud |
| Girlfriends | Ashanti (ex), Channetta Valentine (ex) |
| Children | Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, Chanelle, Cornell Iral “Tre” Haynes III |
| Relationship Status | Divorced |
| Net Worth | ***$70 million |
Early Life And Education
Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. was born on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas, USA. His parents are Cornell Haynes Sr., an Air Force veteran, and Rhonda Mack.
When his parents split when he was seven, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, with his mother. He has a half-brother, City Spud. He attended University City High School, where he became interested in music. His ethnicity is Caucasian, and his religion is Christianity.
Career
Nelly Plaster launched his professional music career in 1993 as a member of the hip-hop group St. Lunatics, which he formed with friends in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.
The trio achieved local popularity with their track “Gimme What U Got,” but his solo career catapulted him to national prominence. He signed with Universal Records in 1999, setting the path for his first album Country Grammar, which was released in 2000.
The album includes breakthrough songs like as “Country Grammar (Hot Shit)” and “Ride Wit Me,” both of which peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped the album earn diamond certification, demonstrating his commercial popularity and creative range.
After the huge success of Country Grammar, he released his second album, Nellyville, in 2002. This album opened at number one on the Billboard 200 and generated multiple chart-topping singles, including “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” which featured Kelly Rowland.
Nellyville cemented Nelly’s prominence as a key player in the hip-hop genre, earning him several prizes, including Grammys. His distinctive combination of hip-hop, pop, and R&B music components enabled him attract a large audience and had a huge impact on the musical scene of the early 2000s.
In addition to his incredible music success, he has dabbled in acting and business. He has acted in films such as The Longest Yard and on several television projects, including his reality show Nellyville. He has also established various businesses, including a clothing brand and a music production school.
Over the years, he has remained relevant in the entertainment business by collaborating with modern musicians and producing new songs, demonstrating his versatility and ongoing appeal as a multi-talented performer and entrepreneur.
Awards
***Grammy Awards
Social Media Handles
**Instagram handle: @nelly
**Facebook handle: Nelly
**Twitter handle: @Nelly_Mo
Personal Life
Nelly has had an eventful personal life throughout the years. He dated singer Ashanti from 2003 until 2013, and the two revived their relationship in 2023. In 2024, the couple had their first child, a boy called Kareem Kenkaide Haynes.
Before his relationship with Ashanti, he had two children from a prior relationship with Channetta Valentine: Chanelle, born in 1994, and Cornell Iral “Tre” Haynes III, born in 1999.
Furthermore, when his sister Jackie Donahue died in 2005, he adopted her two children, Shawn and Sydney Thomas. The reality television series Nellyville highlighted this mixed family dynamic.
Discography
- Ride Wit Me
- Hot in Herre
- Nellyville (2002)
- Dilemma
- Sweat
- Suit
- Brass Knuckles (2008)
- Party People
- Body on Me.
Net Worth
Nelly, the renowned American rapper and entrepreneur, has amassed an estimated net worth of $70 million. His wealth is primarily attributed to his successful music career, which has spanned over two decades and produced numerous hit albums, including the acclaimed “Country Grammar” and “Nellyville.”
