Nelly Net Worth In 2023: Biography, Career, Salary & More

Prepare to dive into the world of the multi-talented American rapper and singer, Nelly. With an estimated net worth of $70 million, he’s not just making music; he’s making money moves. In this journey through his life and career, we’ll uncover the secrets behind his impressive fortune, explore his captivating biography, and reveal the incredible highs and occasional hurdles of his journey in the music industry.

So, whether you’re a long-time fan or just getting to know Nelly, join us as we unravel the tale of this rap sensation, his chart-topping hits, and the financial success that comes with it. Nelly’s story is a testament to hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of talent, and we’re here to give you the inside scoop!

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Table of Contents

Who is Nelly?

Meet Nelly, the stage name for the talented rapper and singer whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. Hailing from the USA, Nelly’s journey in the music world kicked off in 1993 when he became part of the Southern hip-hop group St. Lunatics. But it was in 1999 that his big break arrived when he signed with Universal Records.

In the year 2000, Nelly stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist with the release of his debut album, “Country Grammar.” This record featured some massive hits like “Country Grammar” and “Ride wit Me,” both of which climbed the charts and became fan favorites. “Country Grammar” was a game-changer, topping the US Billboard 200 chart and becoming Nelly’s best-selling album, with a staggering 8.4 million copies sold in the US.

His success didn’t stop there; Nelly’s next album, “Nellyville,” was a hit factory, giving us chart-toppers like “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland. It also featured the catchy “Air Force Ones” with Murphy Lee and St. Lunatics, which soared to the top five on the charts. So, that’s Nelly in a nutshell – a rap sensation who’s been rocking the music scene for years with his catchy tunes and unforgettable hits.

Who is Nelly in a Nutshell
Real Name	Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.
Date of Birth	October 2, 1974
Place of Birth	Austin, Texas, U.S.
Age	48 years old
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Profession	Actor, Entrepreneur, Record producer, Singer-songwriter, Rapper, Investor, Music artist, Composer, Singer
Genre	Hip hop
Labels	Universal Motown Records, Derrty Ent.
Nationality	United States of America

Nelly Net Worth 2023

Nelly is a famous American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur. He is well-known for his successful music career, which has helped him amass a net worth of $70 million. Nelly became a household name with his 2000 album “Country Grammar,” which sold over 10 million copies worldwide. This album included hit songs like “Country Grammar (Hot Shit),” “E.I.,” “Batter Up,” and “Ride Wit Me.”

His second album, “Nellyville” in 2002, made him a hip-hop superstar with number-one hits such as “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” featuring Kelly Rowland. This collaboration even won a Grammy Award in 2003. Nelly has released a total of 8 studio albums and has sold over 21 million records in the United States and 40 million globally, making him one of the most successful rap artists.

Apart from his music career, Nelly has also ventured into acting, appearing in films like “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Reach Me” (2014). He is also the founder of an alcohol brand called MoShine and runs a non-profit organization called Jes Us 4 Jackie, which focuses on raising awareness about the importance of bone marrow donors, particularly within the African-American community. All of these endeavors have contributed to his impressive net worth of $70 million.

Nelly Net Worth in a Nutshell
Full Name	Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.
Celebrated Name	Nelly
Net Worth (2023)	$25 Million
Profession	American rapper and Singer
Monthly Income And Salary	$3,00,000 +
Yearly Income And Salary	$3 Million +

Nelly Sells Half of His Music Catalog for $50 Million

In July 2023, Nelly made a big decision by selling 50% of his music collection to Harbourview Equity Partners. This deal was worth a whopping $100 million, and Nelly got $50 million for his part. This means that HarbourView Equity Partners now owns half of Nelly’s music catalog, which is a significant investment in his music assets.

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Nelly Owed Millions in Back Taxes in 2016

In August 2016, Nelly was hit with a federal tax lien for $2,412,283. He also owed around $150,000 in state taxes. The total debt was large enough that the government had the option to seize assets.

Nelly worked with the IRS to resolve the debt, and it was eventually paid off. The exact terms of the settlement are not known, but it is likely that Nelly made payments over time.

This incident was a wake-up call for Nelly, and he has since become more careful about managing his finances. He has also spoken out about the importance of paying taxes, and he has encouraged others to do the same.

Biography of Nelly Overview

Nelly, originally known as Cornell Haynes, was born on November 2nd, 1974, in Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, his childhood was marked by tragedy as his parents separated when he was only seven years old. Despite these challenges, he was discovered at the young age of 11.

Impressed by his talent, Universal Music signed him to a contract even before he turned 18. While creating popular music for Universal Music, Nelly faced some resistance from the management due to his lyrics and rap style. Eventually, after encountering difficulties with various labels, he took matters into his own hands and established his own label, County Grammar, in 2000.

Biography Nelly in a Nutshell
Full Name	Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.
Nickname	Nelly
Birth Place	Austin, Texas, United States
Date of Birth	November 2, 1974
Age	48 years old
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	182 lbs. (80 kg)
Eye Colour	N/A
Hair Colour	N/A
Education	University City High School
Religion	N/A
Nationality	American
Zodiac Sign	Scorpio
Gender	Male
Sexual Orientation	Straight
Partner	Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas
Spouse	N/A
Children	Chanelle Haynes, Cornell Haynes III
Parents	Rhonda Mack, Cornell Haynes Sr
Siblings	Jackie Donahue and City Spud
Profession	American rapper and singer

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Nelly’s Early Life and Career

Nelly was born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas. His father was in the Air Force, so Nelly moved around a lot as a child. When he was seven, his parents divorced, and he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to live with his mother.

In high school, Nelly formed the St. Lunatics, a hip-hop group with his friends Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, Slo’Down, and his half-brother City Spud. The group had local success in 1997 with the single “Gimme What Ya Got.” However, they were unable to secure a record deal, so Nelly decided to launch his solo career.

Nelly’s debut album, Country Grammar, was released in 2000 and was a huge success. The album went 7x platinum and spawned the hit singles “Country Grammar (Hot Shit),” “Ride wit Me,” and “E.I.” Nelly has since released seven more studio albums, all of which have been successful. He has also won numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards.

Nelly is one of the most successful and influential rappers of all time. He has had a long and successful career, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Nelly’s Musical Career

Country Grammar (2000): Nelly’s debut album, which went 7x platinum and spawned the hit singles “Ride Wit Me” and “Country Grammar (Hot Shit)”.

Nellyville (2002): Nelly’s second album, which included the number-one hits “Dilemma” and “Hot in Here”.

Sweat and Suit (2004): Nelly released two albums on the same day, one rap-oriented (Sweat) and one R&B-oriented (Suit).

Brass Knuckles (2008): Nelly’s fifth studio album, which featured the singles “Party People” and “Stepped on My J’z”.

5.0 (2010): Nelly’s sixth studio album, which featured the singles “Just a Dream” and “Move That Body”.

M.O. (2013): Nelly’s seventh studio album, which featured the singles “Hey Porsche” and “Get Like Me”.

Heartland (2021): Nelly’s eighth studio album, which is a country-influenced album that featured the single “Lil Bit” with Florida Georgia Line.

Nelly’s Acting Career

Film

Nelly made his film debut in the 2001 independent film Snipes.
He starred in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard.
He appeared in episodes of the CBS crime drama CSI: NY.
He made a cameo appearance on 90210.

Reality TV

Nelly appeared in his own reality TV show, Nellyville.
He was in the main cast of the mockumentary series Real Husbands of Hollywood.

Dancing with the Stars

Nelly competed on the 29th season of Dancing with the Stars.
He and his partner Daniella Karagach finished in third place.

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Nelly’s Other Business Ventures

Music

Nelly has released eight studio albums, all certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA.

He has won three Grammy Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards.

He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Destiny’s Child, Tim McGraw, and Florida Georgia Line.

Fashion

Nelly owns two clothing lines, Apple Bottoms and Vokal.
He has also been in ads for Got Milk? and the Ford Motor Company.

Energy Drinks

Nelly’s energy drink Pimp Juice sold one million cans during the first two months after its introduction in August 2003.

Poker

Nelly has played in the World Series of Poker, the PokerStars European Poker Tour, and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.

Other Ventures

Nelly was one of the owners of the Charlotte Bobcats.
He hosted a radio show in St. Louis and released a fitness DVD.
He founded the Ex’treme Institute By Nelly, a music production school.
He collaborated with Mike Ike Candy and Burger King on meals.

Nelly’s Accomplishments

Nelly has won three Grammy Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards.
He has sold over 21 million albums in the United States.
He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Destiny’s Child, Tim McGraw, and Florida Georgia Line.
He is one of the most successful and influential rappers of all time.

Nelly’s Legal Troubles

Drug Possession

In April 2015, Nelly was arrested in Tennessee for felony drug possession after marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found on his tour bus. The felony charge was dropped after further testing proved that the seized substance was not methamphetamine. Nelly pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and was sentenced to one year of probation.

Rape Allegation

In October 2017, Nelly was arrested in Washington on suspicion of second-degree rape after a woman alleged that he had raped her on his tour bus. Nelly was released from custody without charge after the alleged victim declined to cooperate. He filed a countersuit claiming defamation. Both lawsuits were dropped after the parties reached a settlement in 2018.

Sexual Assault Allegations

In January 2018, Nelly was accused of sexual assault after a gig at the Cliffs Pavilion in England. There was also an additional allegation of assault reported at the time. It was reported in 2019 that he had reached a settlement with the woman who was at Cliffs Pavilion.

Personal Life

Nelly dated singer Ashanti from 2003 to 2013. They began dating again in 2023. Nelly has two children from previous relationships: a son named Cornell Hayes III and a daughter named Chanelle.

He also has two adopted children from his stepsister Jaqueline Donahue, who died in 2005 after a battle with leukemia. Nelly is a longtime fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the former St. Louis Rams. He continued to support the Rams after they relocated to Los Angeles in 2016, even attending their appearance at Super Bowl LVI in 2022

Nelly’s Philanthropic Efforts

Nelly is a philanthropist who runs the non-profit organization 4Sho4Kids Foundation. He started the foundation in 2003 with his sister Jackie, who was diagnosed with leukemia. The foundation’s mission is to educate African Americans and other minorities about the need for bone marrow transplants and to register more donors. Jackie died of leukemia in 2005, but the foundation continues to work to save lives.

In addition to the 4Sho4Kids Foundation, Nelly also hosts a “White and Black Ball” in St. Louis to raise money for scholarships. He has sent two students to college every year for over a decade, and he also set up a scholarship fund named after Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014.

Nelly is committed to giving back to his community, and he uses his platform to raise awareness about important causes. He is a role model for young people, and he shows them that they can make a difference in the world.

Real Estate

In 2002, Nelly bought a 12-acre property in Eureka, Missouri, for $1.925 million. The property includes an 11,000-square-foot mansion, a sports court, a basketball court, a pool, and a hot tub. Nelly struggled to sell the property for many years and eventually sold it in 2021 for $599,000, a significant loss. In 2002, he also purchased a 2,679-square-foot ranch-style lake house, which was featured on MTV Cribs.