Nelly's early life was marked by a significant amount of travel, as he accompanied his father, Air Force Man Cornall Haynes Sr., to Spain when he was just a toddler. However, this period of his life was relatively short-lived, as he returned to St. Louis with his father when he was only three years old.
As he grew older, Nelly's family struggled financially, and his parents ultimately split up when he was just seven years old. This tumultuous period in his life would have a lasting impact on his future, as he would go on to move around to live with various family members in an effort to find stability.
Despite the challenges he faced, Nelly's early years were not without their highlights. He developed a passion for sports, particularly baseball, and even dreamed of one day playing professionally. However, it was not until he formed a group called the St. Lunatics with some of his high school friends that he began to explore his true calling.
The St. Lunatics, which consisted of Nelly and his friends Kyjuan, Murphy Lee, Slo Down, City Spud, and Ali, were a rap group that Nelly had formed in high school. As they began to make music together, Nelly's love for hip-hop only grew stronger, and he found himself drawn to the work of artists like Rakim, LL Cool J, Run-DMC, OutKast, Goodie Mob, and Jay-Z.
It was Nelly's unique style of rap, which he described as a jazz form of hip-hop, that set him apart from other artists. His music was characterized by its blend of lyrical complexity and catchy melodies, and it was this style that would eventually lead him to success.
The first song that Nelly and the St. Lunatics made was called "Gimmie What You Got," and it was a regional hit that sold 7,000 units and dominated the airwaves. The song's success was a major turning point for Nelly, and it ultimately led to him being encouraged to go solo.
After the success of "Gimmie What You Got," Nelly decided to leave the St. Lunatics and pursue a solo career. He signed a record deal with Universal Records, and the rest, as they say, is history. Nelly's debut album was a huge success, and he went on to become one of the most successful rappers of all time.
Despite the challenges he had faced in his early life, Nelly's perseverance and determination had ultimately paid off. He had found his passion and pursued it with all his heart, and it was this passion that had led him to achieve his dreams.
