Cornell Haynes, Jr. (November 2, 1974), better known by his stage name Nelly, is a rapper, singer, actor and entrepreneur. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly made his solo debut in 2000 with Country Grammar, the title track of which was a top ten hit. With his following albums, Nellyville (2002) and the same-day dual release Sweat and Suit (2004) and compilation Sweatsuit (2006), Nelly continued to generate many chart-topping hits. He won Grammy Awards in 2003 and 2004[4] and starred in the 2005 remake film The Longest Yard with Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. He has two clothing lines, Vokal and .
Early life and St. Lunatics

Nelly was born in Austin, TX and moved with his mother to suburban University City, Missouri as a teenager. He joined rappers Big Lee, Kyjuan, Murphy Lee, and City Spud to form the group St. Lunatics; the group became popular with its single "Gimme What You Got".
Free City

Free City, recorded with the St. Lunatics, followed in 2001 with the single "Midwest Swing". Nelly recorded "#1" for the soundtrack to the film Training Day that year. Nelly appeared on the songs "Where the Party At" by Jagged Edge and "Girlfriend" by 'N Sync. Free City has sold more than a million units in the United States.
Charity work

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. The campaign attempts to educate African-Americans and other minorities about the need for bone marrow transplants, and to register more donors. Donahue lost her battle with leukemia on March 24, 2005, almost two years after the campaign began.
Acting career

Nelly starred in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. The soundtrack includes Nelly's song "Fly Away." In a June 2008 interview with Kiwibox.com, Nelly revealed that he is reluctant to continue his acting career, noting that he doesn't want to "take away from the culture of acting." In 2008, Nelly appeared in episodes of the CBS crime drama CSI: NY.

* Nelly starred in "Snipes" in 2001