Customer Reviews

Nellyville

5 star:		(158)
4 star:		(56)
3 star:		(35)
2 star:		(26)
1 star:		(111)

 

 

Cornell Haynes is back with his follow-up to his multi-platinum LP "Country Grammar." This time he introduces us to his utopian world he calls "Nellyville." Nelly's vocals along with beats from probably THE most underrated hip-hop producer, Jason Epperson (Jay E.) look to make this album just as successful as his first. Guest spots on "Nellyville" include "Country Grammar" skit man, Cedric The Entertainer, LaLa (I believe to be the same LaLa from MTV's Direct Effect), King Jacob, *NSync'er Justin Timberlake, Destiny Child's Kelly Rowland, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, and also, of course, his fellow St. Lunatics (Murphy Lee, Ali, & Kyjuan).

Track by Track Review:

1. "Nellyville": Pretty solid track in which the Mayor Of Nellyville, Nelly, explains this hip-hop star utopia. I don't think it would make a strong single, but it would be interesting to see a video for this one. Ranking: 7 out of 10
2. "Gettin' It Started"(Skit): Ced the Entertainer try's to show his game with LaLa, but fails to fulfill her want for the "Nellyville" CD. Not that funny of a skit, except for the Akinyele comment by Ced. Nelly should have used the same concept as the "Country Grammar" skit sequences. Also, since when is a song the first track on an album and a skit the second.... 4 out of 10
3. "Hot In Herre": Probably the most overplayed song everywhere in the world currently, but, the Neptunes produced track still is a pretty hot track which is a good first single for this album. 8 out of 10
4. "Dem Boyz": Nelly and the rest of the Tics put this one together and it seems to be their theme song of sorts. But, this song seems to cut short at the end, most likely for needed space on the CD. 6 out of 10
5. "Oh Nelly": A catchy hook by the Lunatic's next big thing: Murphy Lee, and a phat beat by Jay E. Put a video with this one and you got yourself a hit. 8 out of 10
6. "Pimp Juice": Nelly brings a funk style to this track and explains the juice that he seems to have an abundance of. Very original type of song with good beat and decent chorus. 7 out of 10
7. "Air Force Ones": "'Err' Force Ones" is an ode to his kicks, featuring the rest of the 'tics. Very good beat by the Trackboyz, nice flows, good hook, this song puts a smile on your face and makes you want a pair. This track is butter. 9 out of 10
8. "In The Store"(Skit): Ced at the record store trying to score the new Nelly CD but only can find the Edited version. Skit has no laugh out loud moments, just brings the story along. 4 out of 10
9. "On The Grind": This one has definitely the best beat on the album. Jay E is very impressive. Featuring King Jacob, whom kind of sounds like Kyjuan and raps similar to someone other than G. Dep. Good chorus, and, once again, great beat. 8 out of 10
10. "Dilemma": If Nelly ever stops rapping, he probably could have a career in the R&B field. Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child provides the vocals for the chorus. Very good slow jam. Definitely would be a tremendous hit, but alot of rappers don't release there slower songs as singles. 9 out of 10
11. "Splurge": Good song in which Nelly explains that what you see on tv and in the media might give the wrong impression, but sometimes he does go all out. Solid B side song. 8 out of 10
12. "Work It": Hmm, Nelly is most likely gonna take alot of heat for this track. It features *NSync's Justin Timberlake. Decent track, good vocals by Justin. Maybe a single in the future. 6.5 out of 10
13. "Roc The Mic-Remix": Obviously, a remix of the State Property song, "Roc The Mic." Although Nelly and Murphy Lee are featured on the track, it seems kind of weird that this track would be on a Nelly CD, especially in the middle of all the tracks. Should be bonus song. I'm guessing it's on this CD because of the nicely inserted KRS-1 diss by Nelly Nell. Anyway, really good song. Murphy Lee's flows are hot. Don't be surprised to see this school-boy blow-up in the near future. 9 out of 10
14. "The Gank": This one is my personal favorite on this CD. Nelly's in and out voice is spectacular as he tells the story of his girl leaving. Produced by Wally Yaghnam, this track has a nice beat, smooth verses, and a laughable pause in which Nelly explains that his girl took his stash. Best song on album. 10 out of 10
15. "5000"(Skit): You think you wanna laugh with all the laughing going by the 'tics. But, honestly, I have no clue what they're talking about. Maybe when I find out it'll be funny. 5 out of 10
16. "#1": Y'all know this one. Track is significantly shorted than the version on the "Training Day" soundtrack, CD space again. 8 out of 10
17. "CG 2"(Country Grammar 2): Nelly has traded in his Range Rover for a Six-Fo', and put together a remix of some kind to his first ever hit. This time, the rest of the 'tics put their flows on this version. Has a similar beat to the original version, but it is unique still compared to "CG 1." 7 out of 10
18. "Say Now": A slower song that puts an end to the musical side of the album. Decent track, but the chorus doesn't really match the verses. Mediocre beat, average flows. 6 out of 10
19. ... It Then"(Skit): Ced brings his girl the clean CD, but she isn't too happy that its edited and leaves. Again, not too funny, except for Ced's interpretation of *NSync's gone, that's pretty comical. 5 out of 10

Overall, "Nellyville" is a great follow up to his debut album. Nelly is sure to stay on top of the hip-hip game and so are the rest of the Lunatics, especially Murphy Lee.

this was a very great cd from nelly. since this cd has topnotch songs. and this cd is way better than nelly's first.

I cant' beleive web sites are actually putting this album under rap/hip-hop gener, This album is not HIP-HOP or RAP, "hot in here" is as stupid of a song as you can get with its meaningless lyrics and catchy beat, Where were the days when you had to have talent to be in the music industry?? this album not only repersents what's wrong with hip-hop these days but also what's wrong with music in general.

I guess the title for my review said it all. However I'll add a few more thoughts because I also want to comment on the state of 'music' today.

First of all I'm not really a rap fan, but I do appreciate it sometimes. I like people like Mos Def and the Roots, among others. Jay Z and Snoop are cool, but they aren't my type. But this guy Nelly, together with a host of others, is the bottom of the barrel. He can't really rap, but that's not the point.

The point is that his crap is being taken seriously. People think he's a real artist, that he's oh so hot-----just because he sang one song about it being 'hot in here'.

But I do believe people are getting tired of him now----I haven't heard him mentioned for some time now, and I hope it will be that way for ever.

I'm the last person to hate on someone else, I'm happy that Nelly made it and is makin $$, but he is not a real hip hop artist, he is not real hip hop. I didn't have a problem with him even though he was making songs with N'SYNC, stealing nursery rhymes and putting them in his hooks, and has no kind of lyrical flow but hey, if horrible music is making you rich, do your thing. But due to his recent beef with KRS-ONE and claiming himself the #1 rapper in the game, I am now officially hating on this man. How can you diss a legend like KRS-ONE? That's against the rules, MCs like him paved the way so you can make money and buy that corny jewelery you wear. If we build a hip hop Mt. Rushmore tommorow, KRS will be the face on the right next to Rakim. If you are a young fan of rap music and are unfamiliar with this man, download "step into a world" and just listen to hip hop at it's greatest, he is sick with it. And not only that, but now Nelly acts like he can touch KRS. What the hell is he smokin?? If you really want it, stop saying things in magazine articles and step up and battle the man. I hope they put it on pay per view, cause I would easily pay [mounds of money] to see a true MC just embarass a kid who has no idea what he just started. Nelly gets no play in any true Hip Hop heads stereo, the only time I will listen to him is at the club (and that's sometimes). How garbage is his new single "Hot in Here?" Anyway, I had to let out my frustrations because rappers like Nelly are the reason why hip hop is in a major slump. So please, Nelly, call KRS and beg for forgiveness (and take that damn band-aid off your face....)

This is quite possibly one of the wackest albums I've ever heard. Not only does this not deserve to be called hip-hop, but Nelly straight up disses KRS One with his "#1" song. You want real hip-hop? Turn to Hieroglyphics, Aceyalone, Mikah Nine, Jurassic 5, Black-Eyed Peas, DJ Shadow, Talib Kweli, Jedi Mind Tricks, Atmosphere, Afu-Ra, Zion I... the list goes on and on.

I for one don't consider an "artist" as new as Nelly to even have the guts to be able to make such a claim, but... he does. It's funny, because in ten years, who will still be talking about Nelly? 10 years later, we still regard KRS as one of, if not THE best artist in hip-hop.

Pass this album over at all costs. Don't believe the ratings. 8x platinum doesn't mean he's any good, it means naive pre-teens think whatever is shoved down their throat is "good". Stupid people need stupid music.

If I could give this a lower rating than 1, I would. I'll give you your #1, Nelly. You get a #1 Star from me, and the crew who helped me compose this one. I'm not the only one that recognizes your wackness!

And what's up with that band-aid? You look like a fool.

After purchasing Nelly's first album, "Country Grammar" and the St. Lunatics' "Free City," and not being able to stop listening to it, I was really anxious for "Nellyville" to come out. And yet, what a surprise, I was disappointed thoroughly. When I first listened to the CD, I could only go up to the first nine tracks, because those were the most listenable.
The album goes completely downhill after "Splurge." The last four songs except "#1" seem like they were made just for added content and not for classics.
Now, with the exceptions of "Nellyville," "On The Grind," "Dilemma," "Splurge" and "Air Force Ones" I can't listen to any of the songs and I skip over tracks like crazy.
I liked "Hot in Herre" as much as the next person when it first came out. Now that song is so over-played, I can't even watch the video now.
And how do you know when a rapper decides not to stay hip-hop?
The answer: When he does a track with the lead singer for a pop band. Now, I know that Nelly was featured in the Girlfriend Remix, which I still, to this day despise that song. So, Timberlake returns the favor...Yada Yada Yada. This song is the worst track on the album and had no business on a "hip-hop" album period.
Had Nelly gotten rid of tracks such as: "Dem Boyz", "Work It," "CG2," "Say Now" and the unfunny skits, this sophomore attempt then would at least have had definite potential to top the debut album.
So, unless you're a big Nelly fan, disregard this album and pick up "Free City" and "Country Grammar."

On June 27, 2000 the hip hop world welcomed in their newest superstar. With the release of his debut album Country Grammer, Nelly made a permanent mark in the hip hop community. Nobody could have expected the album to spawn two #1 singles ("Country Grammer" & "Ride With Me") and go on to sell over 8 million units. That lead to a highly successful tour with Cash Money Millionares, Lil' Kim & Ja Rule as well as an even more successful solo tour. He quickly released the St. Lunatics album (an album that also contained Nelly and friends from St. Louis) which sold over 2 million units and help strong on the charts. He guested on countless tracks, dominated MTV & BET with appearences and kept his name strong while preparing to release his brand new album Nellyville.

With this release, there is absolutely no growth. He keeps the same formula for his sophomore album that he used to gain incredible amounts of success with his debut. The annoying first single "Hot in Herre" dominated urban & pop radio this summer, much like his "Country Grammer" did in the summer of 2000. However with the St. Lunatics by his side as well as the entire entertainment community, he is now positioned to take rap over completely. With high profile collaborations, the best producers money can buy & his untouchable southern charm (and slang) Nelly clones his debut album for more enjoyment.

The album includes some definet ..., like the St. Lunatics laced "Dem Boyz" & the Beanie Sigel/Freeway guested "Rock the Mic" [REMIX], while keeping the album commercial for radio airplay on tracks like "Pimp Juice" & this albums "Ride With Me", "The Gank". Another song that has been gaining incredible airplay is "Dilemma" the Pattie LaBelle sampled RnB collaboration with Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child. And does anyone know what was up with the Justin Timberlake collabo on "Work it Out"? ...

One of the bigger mistakes of this album was though was basing it on a theme. Theme albums don't usually work in hip hop ... and yet Nelly tries to create on with this album, making Nellyville a town and the tracks represenative of its people and communities. Basically its all broken down in the album's opening number, "Nellyville". The album is also pretty heavy on the interludes, which like the first are all performed by Cedric the Entertainer, but now MTV Direct Effect host LaLa is thrown into the mix. Nelly needs to make some changes for his next album if he expects to stay around longer then the three album life span of most rappers.

this was a very cool cd from nelly. since i was impressed with most of the songs from this cd. and nelly is a topnotch rapper.

Pop and mainstream music is pure lame & realy poison to actual talented rap music. Nelly, is crap and he can't rap neither... Im sick or mtv and direct effect and all the bullsh*t and pop music! Nelly is not rap but stupid pop r & b bullsh*t so dont support diz if you like real rap... Peace!