Nelly Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Nelly’s net worth?

An American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, Nelly has amassed a net worth of $70 million. He made a significant impact in the music industry with his 2000 album “Country Grammar,” which ultimately sold over 10 million copies globally, becoming his top seller to date. This album achieved remarkable success due to hit singles such as “Country Grammar (Hot Shit),” “E.I.,” “Batter Up,” and “Ride Wit Me.”

His follow-up album, “Nellyville” (2002), further established him as a hip-hop icon, featuring chart-topping tracks like “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland, which earned a Grammy Award in 2003. Currently, Nelly has released eight studio albums, totaling over 21 million records sold in the United States and 40 million worldwide, securing his place among the best-selling rap artists.

Beyond music, Nelly has ventured into acting with roles in films such as “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Reach Me” (2014). He founded the alcohol brand MoShine and started a non-profit organization called Jes Us 4 Jackie to promote awareness about the necessity of bone marrow donors in the African American community.

Catalog Sale

In July 2023, Nelly entered into a deal to sell a 50% ownership stake in his music catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners for $50 million, valuing his entire catalog at $100 million.

Tax Problems

In August 2016, a federal tax lien surfaced against Nelly, stating that he owed $2,412,283 due to back taxes and penalties to the IRS, in addition to approximately $150,000 in state taxes. Given the size of the debt, the government retained the option to seize assets. Ultimately, these financial issues were resolved.

Early Life

Nelly was born as Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas. His father was serving in the Air Force at the time of his birth. After his parents divorced when he was seven, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. As a teenager, Nelly formed his first band, the St. Lunatics, alongside friends Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, Slo’Down, and his half-brother City Spud. The group gained local popularity in 1997 with the single “Gimme What Ya Got.” Nelly opted to pursue a solo career when the St. Lunatics were unable to secure a record deal.

Career

In 1999, Nelly secured a recording contract with Universal Music. The next year, he introduced his debut album “Country Grammar,” which remains his highest-selling album. Supporting singles for the album included “Ride Wit Me” and “Country Grammar,” both achieving Top 10 status. His second album,

Released in June 2002, “Nellyville” featured the chart-topping hits “Dilemma” and “Hot in Here.” Following this, Nelly put out the albums “Sweat and Suit” in 2004 and “Sweatsuit” in 2005. In September 2008, he launched his fifth studio album, “Brass Knuckles.” Nelly then released “5.0” in 2010, followed by “M.O.” in 2013 and “Heartland” in 2021. This latest album, influenced by country music, included the single “Lil Bit,” a collaboration with Florida Georgia Line. Moreover, Nelly worked with country artists Kane Brown and Brett Kissel on remixes of their respective songs “Cool Again” and “She Drives Me Crazy.”

In 2003 and 2004, Nelly was honored with Grammy Awards and had a supporting role in the 2005 film remake of “The Longest Yard,” featuring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Between 2008 and 2009, he appeared in four episodes of the television series “CSI: NY.” From 2013 to 2016, Nelly was featured in 39 episodes of the BET reality show parody, “Real Husbands of Hollywood.”

In the fall of 2010, Nelly released a fitness DVD titled “Celebrity Sweat.” He also owns two clothing lines, Vokal and Apple Bottoms.

Nelly teamed up with Burger King in 2021 to promote the “Keep It Real Meals,” launching the “Cornell Haynes, Jr. Meal” as part of the company’s initiative to eliminate 120 artificial ingredients from their menu. His meal consisted of a Whopper, small fries, and a small Sprite.

Legal Issues

In April 2015, the Tennessee Highway Patrol stopped Nelly’s tour bus after an officer detected the smell of marijuana. Upon searching the bus, they discovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia, multiple handguns, and what was suspected to be meth. Nelly was taken into custody, booked in the county jail, and later released on bail. He faced charges for felony drug possession, among others. The felony charge was later dismissed when it was established that the found substance was not meth. In December 2015, Nelly entered a guilty plea for misdemeanor marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In 2016, the IRS placed a tax lien against Nelly amounting to $2.4 million due to unpaid taxes.

In the fall of 2017, Nelly was arrested near Seattle on allegations of rape after a woman claimed he had invited her onto his tour bus and assaulted her. He was taken into custody, booked into jail, and subsequently released, with the charges later being dropped.

Personal Life

In 2014, Nelly began a relationship with actress and model Shantel Jackson, who is also the ex of Floyd Mayweather Jr. By 2021, the couple’s separation was made public, with both parties confirming it was on amicable terms. In February 2023, speculation about a possible reconciliation between Nelly and Ashanti, an R&B singer from Long Island with whom he previously dated before Jackson, surfaced when they were spotted together wearing identical Cuban link chains. In November 2023, it was announced by Ashanti and Nelly that they were expecting a child together.

Philanthropy

Nelly is known for his philanthropic efforts and operates the nonprofit 4Sho4Kids Foundation. In March 2003, he initiated a campaign aimed at informing African Americans and other minority groups about the importance of bone marrow transplants. Following his sister Jackie’s leukemia diagnosis, he sought to encourage more individuals to join the bone marrow donor registry. Sadly, his sister passed away in March 2005.

Since 2006, he has been the host of the White and Black Ball in St. Louis, which raises funds for scholarships.

Nelly also set up a scholarship in honor of Michael Brown, who was fatally shot by police in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014.

In 2010, he directed a public service announcement for the Tackle Hunger campaign organized by the nonprofit Do Something. Within the PSA, he encouraged teenagers to combat hunger by collecting one million pounds of food during the holiday season for families in need.

Together with Vatterott College, Nelly founded the Ex’treme Institute By Nelly in 2011, a music production school located in the heart of St. Louis.

Real Estate

Nelly acquired a partially finished 11,000-square-foot mansion in a gated community close to the Hidden Valley Country Club in Eureka, Missouri, in 2002, at a cost of $1.925 million. This expansive 12-acre estate includes extensive sports amenities, a basketball court, a swimming pool, a hot tub, and much more. However, he faced challenges selling this property for several years and ultimately sold it in October 2021 for $599,000, incurring a significant financial loss. Here is a video showing how the property appeared in mid-2021 when it was abandoned and deteriorating:

In the same year, he also acquired a 2,679-square-foot ranch-style lake house, which made an appearance on MTV Cribs in 2002. This property was sold in June 2010 for $740,158. Here’s the episode from “Cribs”: