American rapper and singer Nelly is celebrating his 52nd birthday on November 2, 2026. Born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. in Austin, Texas, the Grammy-winning artist became one of the biggest names in hip-hop during the early 2000s, with hit songs including “Hot in Herre”, “Dilemma” and “Country Grammar”.
Nelly grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where his interest in music led him to form the hip-hop group St. Lunatics with friends. The group gained local attention before he signed a solo record deal with Universal Records in 1999.
His career took off in 2000 with the release of his debut album, Country Grammar. The album became a major commercial success and introduced his distinctive style to a wider audience. Songs such as “Ride wit Me” and the title track helped establish him as a major name in American music.
In 2002, Nelly released his second album, Nellyville, which produced two of his biggest hits, “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma”, featuring Kelly Rowland. His success continued with projects such as Sweat, Suit and 5.0. Over the years, he has won three Grammy Awards, with the Recording Academy recognising his work on songs including “Hot in Herre”, “Dilemma” and “Shake Ya Tailfeather”.
Beyond music, Nelly has also built a career in film and television. He appeared alongside Adam Sandler and Chris Rock in the 2005 comedy film The Longest Yard. He later starred in his own reality series, Nellyville, and competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2020, finishing third with professional dancer Daniella Karagach.
His career continues to bring new opportunities. Nelly and his wife, singer Ashanti, are preparing for the second season of their reality series, Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together, which premieres on Peacock on November 19, 2026. The show follows their family life, music careers and work together.
Nelly is also scheduled to headline the opening day of the 2026 Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival in India on November 20. The performance will bring his music to festival audiences alongside other international and local acts.
As he celebrates another year, Nelly's journey from St. Louis to international music success remains an important part of his story. His music, film appearances and television projects continue to keep him connected with audiences across different generations.
