Nelly St. Lunatic

"St. Louis is like a time bomb waiting to explode..." - Cornell Haynes, Jr.

Nelly is a great example of an artist who developed a hometown following that resulted in a record deal with a major label. In1996 Nelly and high school friend and rapper, Kyjuan hooked up with City Spud, Murphy Lee, Ali and Jason to form the St. Lunatics.

Strength in numbers… The St. Lunatics combined personalities and styles that allowed their collective creativity to become greater than the whole. As artists and performers they each added to the group and to the group's confidence.

Music and hard work became the focus, which resulted in the release of the 12-inch single, "Gimme What Ya Got." Hard work and the ability to self-promote led to the respectable sale of 7,000 units regionally. A growing number of fans (and radio requests!) pushed "Gimme What Ya Got," to the top slot on St. Louis' #1 hip-hop station, 103 the Beat.

The St. Lunatics were unable to secure a record deal, but they continued to perform locally. Continued self-promotion and undeniable dedication did result in capturing the attention of Universal Records whom then signed Cornell Haynes, Jr. - a.k.a. Nelly, to a solo contract. Nelly says that he "does not feel like a solo artist" and states that he hopes he is the "key in the door" for the remaining members of the St. Lunatics.

Whatever else may happen, one thing is important to recognize: it was the combined talent coupled with group's dedication to success that brought the level of notoriety required to catch the attention of a major label. Artists don't just get signed. Hard work and plenty of talent is what it takes.