St. Louis rapper Nelly brought a mighty Midwest swing to the music world with “Country Grammar,” his unlikely phenomenon of a debut album, which marks its 20th anniversary today, June 27.
With the album in 2000, he cleared a path straight to the top during a big release year with new albums from Britney Spears, Coldplay, ’N Sync, Green Day, Madonna, Outkast, U2, Ludacris, Erykah Badu and Sade.
“Country Grammar” is in a rare class of hip-hop albums to be awarded a diamond certification, selling more than 10 million copies.
In early 2000, Universal Records executives invited VIPs to Blueberry Hill to hear the label’s buzzy new rapper, University City native Cornell Haynes Jr. He had been plucked from his group, the St. Lunatics, for a shot at stardom.
Though everyone in the room was rooting for him, no one knew Nelly would be the next big thing.
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At the time, there had been only a couple of rappers with St. Louis ties to make any real noise nationally: Domino (“Getto Jam”), who claimed Long Beach over St. Louis because California wielded more hip-hop cred, and Sylk Smoov (“Trick Wit a Good Rap”), credited as the first St. Louis rapper with a major record deal. The area’s only other claim to rap fame was the fact that East St. Louis radio station WESL was the first to play “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang.
The deck may have been stacked against Nelly. According to his Universal publicist in 2000, hip-hop media was hesitant to cover this unconnected, unproven St. Louis rapper after hearing his single. Billboard magazine’s rap editor at the time said he couldn’t stand Nelly’s album — though he’d later come around.
Ultimately, Nelly’s newness paid off. His music felt like a fresh alternative to the hip-hop coming from the coasts.
And he was always sure of himself when it came to introducing the masses to St. Louis hip-hop.
“I think I can do it, for sure. That’s what I want to do and that’s the plan,” he told the Post-Dispatch before the release of “Country Grammar.” “I look to Missouri as being the last in everything — the last to give up slavery to the last to get on the map. But nothing comes easy, and everybody has to wait their turn. So we sharpened up our skills, worked harder and appreciated everything we got.”
As he prepared to release “Country Grammar,” he promised listeners would get something they’d never heard before. “It’s well-rounded, universal,” he said. “I got it for the streets, I got it for the clubs, I got it for your house, I got it for your car. I’m showing you I can do it all.”
He delivered — and then some.
The “Country Grammar” single, released in February 2000, was something all its own. The insanely catchy, singsong tune was brazen right off the top, mixing a classic children’s rhyme with a gun reference. The unedited version of the song opens with “I’m going down down baby yo’ street in a Range Rover/Street sweeper baby, cocked ready to let it go/Shimmy shimmy cocoa what? Listen to it proud/Light it up and take a puff, pass it to me now.”
Apparently, it was just what the world was waiting for. The song was a top 10 Billboard 100 hit and No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart.
The album came next, a St. Louis hip-hop affair that produced several hit singles: “E.I.,” “Ride Wit Me” and “Batter Up.”
The album’s unabashed St. Louis flow included the use of local lingo, the song “St. Louie,” posse cut “Steal the Show” with the St. Lunatics, production by Jason “Jay-E” Epperson of Basement Beats, and an intro and outro by comedian Cedric the Entertainer of Berkeley.
Nelly received Grammy nominations — rap solo performance (“Country Grammar”) and best rap album — but lost to Eminem. Other honors soon followed, though: an MTV Video Music Award for best rap video (“Ride Wit Me”), a World Music Award for world’s best-selling new artist, a BET Award for best new artist and a Soul Train Music Award for best new artist.
Then-St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay issued a proclamation honoring Nelly, though previous Mayor Clarence Harmon had refused, taking issue with Nelly’s lyrics.
Nelly — and St. Louis hip-hop — had officially arrived.
It didn’t take long for his local influence to resonate. Most notable was Chingy (“Right Thurr,” “Holiday Inn,” “One Call Away,” “Pullin Me Back”), who once told the Post-Dispatch that Nelly’s success influenced him in a big way.
“It opened the door and let me know, at the same time I was doing my own music, that you can be an artist from here and make it in a major way,” he said. “I saw it and said someone from St. Louis can actually be serious, and get it done. That’s the importance of that album to me. It was a lot of encouragement there.”
Others included Jibbs (“Chain Hang Low”), J-Kwon (“Tipsy”), Huey (“Pop, Lock & Drop It”), Ebony Eyez (“In Ya Face”) and Pretty Willie (“Lay Your Body Down”), while Penelope, Potzee, Da Banggaz, Joka, Hakeem Tha Dream, Spaide R.I.P.P.E.R. and Gena (now known as Fresco Kane) all brought new heat from St. Louis.
There was also the rise of those in Nelly’s direct camp. St. Lunatics released their own album, “Free City,” and there were solo hits from group members Murphy Lee (“Wat Da Hook Gon Be”) and Ali (“Boughetto”).
A number of hits came out of St. Louis, but the music — undemanding with an undeniably feel-good party vibe — often wasn’t highly regarded.
Nelly continued to ride the wave, upping his game and adding production from the Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri and Just Blaze for chart-topping follow-ups including “Nellyville” (2002), “Sweat” (2004) and “Suit” (2004).
He has performed at the Super Bowl; won Grammy Awards (“Dilemma,” “Shake Your Tailfeather,” “Hot in Herre”); debuted “Suit” and “Sweat” at No. 1 and No. 2 simultaneously on the Billboard 200; and landed country smashes with Tim McGraw (“Over and Over”) and Florida Georgia Line (“Cruise”), paving the way for Lil Nas X.
But that initial rush of success with “Country Grammar” surely means the most, not just to Nelly but to St. Louis.
What Nelly: Live From the Drive-In • When 7:30 p.m. July 12 • Where Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre lot, 14141 Riverport Dr., Maryland Heights • How much $125-$300 per car (four people max per car) • More info livenation.com/drivein
20 big albums turning 20 in 2020
20 big albums turning 20 in 2020
“All That You Can't Leave Behind,” U2
After its divisive predecessor, “Pop,” this album was so big it won major Grammy awards over the course of two years.
Release: Oct. 30, 2000
Singles: “Beautiful Day,” “Elevation,” “Walk On,” “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”
The Billboard 200: No. 3
Sales: Over 4 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Rock Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Beautiful Day” (wins); also Record of the Year for “Walk On,” Rock Performance by a Duo of Group with Vocal for “Elevation,” Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Win for “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” and Best Rock Album (wins); Album of the Year, Song of the Year for “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” Best Rock Song for “Elevation” and Best Rock Song for “Walk On” (nominations)
“Can't Take Me Home,” Pink
Before she exploded as a pop-rock queen with “Get This Party Started,” Pink was every bit the budding R&B singer produced by “Real Housewife” Kandi Burruss.
Release: April 4, 2000
Singles: “There You Go,” “You Make Me Sick,” “Most Girls”
The Billboard 200: No. 26
Sales: Over 2 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: None
“The Dynasty: Roc La Familia,” Jay-Z
Jay-Z went for more soulful productions en route to this album with songs from Kanye West, the Neptunes and Just Blaze, serving as a bit of a blueprint for his next and greatest album, “The Blueprint.” "The Dynasty" includes one of his more ill-fated collaborations with R. Kelly.
Release: Oct. 31, 2000
Singles: “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me),” “Change the Game,” “Guilty Until Proven Innocent”
The Billboard 200: No. 1
Sales: Over 2 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group for “Change the Game” (nomination)
“Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1,” Jill Scott
Scott established herself as a new soul force to be reckoned with right out the box.
Release: July 18, 2000
Singles: “Gettin’ in the Way,” “A Long Walk,” “The Way”
The Billboard 200: No. 17
Sales: Over 2 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best New Artist, R&B Album, Female R&B Vocal Performance for “Gettin’ in the Way” and “A Long Walk (nominations, with the latter two in concurrent years)
“Country Grammar,” Nelly
Nelly casts the biggest spotlight ever on St. Louis-honed hip-hop.
Release: June 27, 2000
Singles: “Country Grammar,” “E.I.”, “Ride Wit Me,” “Batter Up”
The Billboard 200: No. 1
Sales: Over 10 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: None
“Voodoo,” D’Angelo
The soul singer’s second album put him over the top — with the help of a particularly revealing video.
Release: Jan. 25, 2000
Singles: “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” “Devil’s Pie,” “Send It On,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love”
The Billboard 200: No. 1
Sales: Over 1 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best R&B album, Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” (wins); and R&B Song for “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” (nomination)
“No Strings Attached,” ‘N Sync
A true pop juggernaut of an album that was hard to stop.
Release: March 21, 2000
Singles: “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “This I Promise You”
The Billboard 200: No. 1
Sales: Over 11 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Record of the Year and Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “Bye Bye Bye,” Pop Vocal Album (nominations)
“Two Against Nature,” Steely Dan
Back when veteran acts used to catch a break in the sales and awards arenas ...
Release: Feb. 29, 2000
Singles: “Cousin Dupree,” “Janie Runaway”
The Billboard 200: No. 6
Sales: Over 1 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Album of the Year, Pop Vocal Album, Pop Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals, Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (wins)
“The Marshall Mathers LP,” Eminem
A bonafide blockbuster for Eminem, controversies notwithstanding.
Release: May 23, 2000
Singles: “The Real Slim Shady,” “Stan,” “The Way I Am”
The Billboard 200: No. 1
Sales: Over 10 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best Rap Album, Rap Solo Performance for “The Real Slim Shady” (wins); Album of the Year (nomination)
“Stankonia,” Outkast
“Stankonia” was the perfect filling between “Aquemini” and “Speakerboxxx”/”The Love Below.”
Release: Oct. 31, 2000
Singles: “So Fresh, So Clean,” “Ms. Jackson,” “B.O.B.”
The Billboard 200: No. 2
Sales: Over 4 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group for “Ms. Jackson” (wins); Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Short Form Music Video for “Ms. Jackson” (nominations)
“Return of Saturn,” No Doubt
A comedown from “Tragic Kingdom” that nonetheless delivered a few bonafide hits.
Release: April 11, 2000
Singles: “Ex-Girlfriend,” “Simple Kind of Life,” “Bathwater”
The Billboard 200: No. 2
Sales: Over 1 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best Rock Album (nomination)
“Rascal Flatts,” Rascal Flatts
The country band will celebrate its 20th anniversary and its farewell in one fell swoop this summer.
Release: June 6, 2000
Singles: “This Everyday Love,” “While You Loved Me,” “Prayin’ for Daylight”
Sales: Over 2 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: None
“Parachutes,” Coldplay
The album that introduced Coldplay to the world.
Release: July 10, 2000
Singles: “Yellow,” “Shiver,” “Trouble,” “Don’t Panic”
The Billboard 200: No. 51
Sales: Over 2 million copies sold
Grammys: Best Alternative Music Album (win); Best Rock Performance by Duo or Group with Vocal for “Yellow” (nomination)
“Oops!...I Did It Again,” Britney Spears
Britney Spears’ “Oops” was her best mistake ever.
Release: May 16, 2000
Singles: “Oops!...I Did It Again,” “Stronger,” “Lucky”
The Billboard 200: No. 1
Sales: Over 10 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal and Female Pop Vocal performance for “Oops!...I Did It Again” (nominations)
“O Brother Where Art Thou?” Various Artists
Who says bluegrass and Americana can’t rock the music world?
Release: Dec. 5, 2000
Singles: “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow”
The Billboard 200: No. 1
Sales: Over 8 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Album of the Year, Best Compilation Soundtrack Album, Producer of the Year for T Bone Burnett, Best Male Country Performance for Ralph Stanley for “Oh, Death” and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" by the Soggy Bottom Boys (wins)
“Music,” Madonna
This strong follow-up to her “Ray of Light” continued Madonna’s commercial and artistic shine.
Release: Sept. 18, 2000
Singles: “Music,” “What It Feels Like for a Girl,” “Don’t Tell Me”
The Billboard 200: No. 1
Sales: 3 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best Recording Package (win); Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year and Female Pop Vocal for “Music,” Best Short Form Music Video for “Don’t Tell Me” (nominations)
“Mama’s Gun,” Erykah Badu
There was definitely no sophomore slump here for Badu at her best.
Release: Nov. 21, 2000
Singles: “Bag Lady,” “Didn’t Cha Know,” “Cleva”
The Billboard 200: No. 11
Sales: Over 1 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song for “Bag Lady” and Best R&B Song for “Didn’t Cha Know” (nominations in concurrent years for the latter two)
“Binaural,” Pearl Jam
A widely perceived miss from the grunge band but nothing from which it couldn't recover.
Release date: May 16, 2000
Singles: “Nothing As It Seems,” “Light Years”
The Billboard 200: No. 2
Sales: Over 500,000 copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best Hard Rock Performance for “Grievance” (nomination)
“Lovers Rock,” Sade
The elusive Sade Adu and her band Sade returned with another winner.
Release: Nov. 13, 2000
Singles: “King of Sorrow,” “Lovers Rock”
The Billboard 200: No. 3
Sales: Over 3 million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Pop Vocal Album (win); Female Pop Vocal Performance for “By Your Side” (nomination)
“Kid A,” Radiohead
Despite an anti-publicity campaign, the English rock band still wound up with a lauded, top-selling album.
Release: Oct. 2, 2000
Singles: No singles
The Billboard 200: No. 1
Sales: Over a million copies sold
Grammy recognition: Best Alternative Album (win); Album of the Year (nomination)
Some other albums released in 2000
“Machina/The Machines of Gods,” Smashing Pumpkins
“Like Water for Chocolate,” Common
“Back for the First Time,” Ludacris
"I Hope You Dance,” Lee Ann Womack
“Warning,” Green Day
"The Notorious K.I.M.,” Lil Kim
“Bridging the Gap,” Black Eyed Peas
“Real Live Woman,” Trisha Yearwood
“Rated R,” Queens of the Stone Age
“J.E. Heartbreak,” Jagged Edge
“Supreme Clientele,” Ghostface Killah
“Born to Do It,” Craig David