Nelly Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Nelly’s net worth?

With a net worth of $70 million, Nelly is an American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur. He gained fame in 2000 with his album “Country Grammar,” which ultimately sold over 10 million copies globally, making it his highest-selling album. This successful album featured popular singles such as “Country Grammar (Hot Shit),” “E.I.,” “Batter Up,” and “Ride Wit Me.”

Nelly’s second album, “Nellyville” (2002), further solidified his reputation as a hip-hop icon, showcasing the chart-topping hits “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland, which earned him a Grammy Award in 2003. Currently, Nelly has put out eight studio albums, achieving over 21 million record sales in the United States and 40 million worldwide, placing him among the top-selling rap artists.

Beyond music, Nelly has taken on various roles in film, including “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Reach Me” (2014). He also launched the alcoholic beverage brand MoShine and established the non-profit organization Jes Us 4 Jackie to promote awareness of the necessity for bone marrow donors within the African American community.

Catalog Sale

In July 2023, Nelly entered into an agreement with HarbourView Equity Partners, selling a 50% stake in his music catalog for $50 million. This transaction valued his entire catalog at $100 million.

Tax Problems

In August 2016, a federal tax lien was placed against Nelly, asserting that he owed $2,412,283 in back taxes and penalties to the IRS, along with approximately $150,000 in state taxes. The considerable debt put him at risk of asset seizure by the government. Ultimately, these financial issues were resolved.

Early Life

Nelly, born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas, was raised in a military family. His father was in the Air Force, and after his parents’ divorce when he was seven, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. During his teenage years, he formed his first musical group, the St. Lunatics, with friends Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, Slo’Down, and his half-brother City Spud. The group found local success in 1997 with their single “Gimme What Ya Got,” but Nelly chose to pursue a solo career after the St. Lunatics did not secure a record deal.

Career

Nelly secured a record deal with Universal Music in 1999 and, in 2000, released his debut album “Country Grammar,” which remains his top-selling work. This album featured hit singles like “Ride Wit Me” and “Country Grammar,” both of which reached the Top 10. In June 2002, he released his second album, “Nellyville,” which included the chart-topping hits “Dilemma” and “Hot in Herre.” Following that, he put out “Sweat and Suit” in 2004 and released Sweatsuit in 2005. His fifth studio album, “Brass Knuckles,” hit shelves in September 2008, followed by “5.0” in 2010, “M.O.” in 2013, and “Heartland” in 2021, a country-influenced album featuring the single “Lil Bit,” a collaboration with Florida Georgia Line. Nelly also partnered with other artists for various projects.

Collaborations with country artists Kane Brown and Brett Kissel included remixes of their tracks “Cool Again” and “She Drives Me Crazy,” respectively.

Nelly, who won Grammy Awards in 2003 and 2004, had a supporting part in the 2005 remake of “The Longest Yard” featuring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Between 2008-2009, his appearances included four episodes of “CSI: NY.” From 2013 to 2016, Nelly featured in 39 episodes of the reality television parody series “Real Husbands of Hollywood” aired on BET.

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

In 2021, a collaboration with Burger King was established, which promoted the fast-food chain’s “Keep It Real Meals” through the “Cornell Haynes, Jr. Meal.” This initiative recognized the company’s decision to eliminate 120 artificial ingredients from its menu. His meal included a Whopper, small fries, and a small Sprite.

Legal Issues

In April 2015, the Tennessee Highway Patrol stopped Nelly’s tour bus. An officer reported perceiving the smell of marijuana inside the bus. Upon searching, officers discovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia, multiple handguns, and a substance they suspected to be meth. Nelly was arrested and taken to county jail but later released on bail. He faced charges of felony drug possession along with lesser charges. The felony charge was dismissed when it was confirmed that the substance found was not meth, but Nelly accepted a guilty plea for misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in December 2015.

In 2016, Nelly faced a $2.4 million tax lien from the IRS due to unpaid taxes.

Nelly was arrested in the fall of 2017 near Seattle, on suspected rape charges after a woman claimed he invited her onto his tour bus and assaulted her. He was booked but subsequently released; charges were later dropped.

Personal Life

In 2014, Nelly began a relationship with actress and model Shantel Jackson, who is also known as Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s ex. By 2021, it was reported that their relationship had ended amicably. Speculation of a renewed romance surfaced in February 2023 when Nelly was seen with Ashanti, a Long Island R&B singer he had previously dated, both wearing matching Cuban link chains. In November 2023, Ashanti and Nelly disclosed that they…

A baby was expected between them.

Philanthropy

Also a philanthropist, Nelly operates the nonprofit 4Sho4Kids Foundation. In March 2003, he initiated a campaign to inform African Americans and other minorities about the importance of bone marrow transplants. After his sister Jackie was diagnosed with leukemia, he sought to increase the number of people registering as bone marrow donors. Unfortunately, his sister passed away in March 2005.

Since 2006, Nelly has been hosting St. Louis’ White and Black Ball to gather funds for scholarships.

A scholarship named after Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by police on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, was established by Nelly.

In 2010, he starred in a public service announcement for the Tackle Hunger campaign, supported by the nonprofit Do Something. In this PSA, Nelly encouraged teens to combat hunger by collecting one million pounds of food for needy families during the holiday season.

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

Real Estate

In 2002, Nelly acquired a partially finished 11,000-square-foot mansion in a gated community close to Hidden Valley Country Club in Eureka, Missouri, for $1.925 million. This 12-acre estate includes a large sports court, basketball court, swimming pool, hot tub, and more. Selling this property proved difficult for Nelly over the years. Ultimately, he accepted a significant loss, selling it for $599,000 in October 2021. Below is a video showcasing the condition of the home in mid-2021 when it was abandoned and deteriorating:

Additionally, in 2002, he bought a 2,679-square-foot ranch-style lake house that made an appearance on MTV Cribs that same year. He sold this property in June 2010 for $740,158. Below is the episode of “Cribs” featuring this home: