That Grape Juice Interviews Nelly

Published: Friday 10th Sep 2010 by Trent

*Pinned: Normal Posts Resume Below*

That Grape Juice caught up with Hip-Pop heavyweight Nelly last week. Currently readying his 5th studio album, ‘Nelly 5.0’, for release this November, the rapper was eager to let us know what we can expect on highly anticipated record.

As usual we asked the questions that you really want answers about. Nelly addressed that status of his relationship with Ashanti, the under-performance of his last LP ‘Brass Knuckles’, his new  collaboration with Kelly Rowland, his views about women in Hip-Hop and much more. Check out all the action below. Enjoy!

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Interviewer: Trent //  Edited by: Sam

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Nelly Shouts Out That Grape Juice

Hey Nelly!

Yo man, what’s up?

I’m great! How are you?

I’m doing great.

Awesome

It’s been two years since you the release of your last album. What have you been up to in your time away from the limelight?

Basically just working on this new project and trying to get everything to where we feel it needs to be; trying to get back on track.

Your 5th album, aptly titled ‘Nelly 5.0’, is set for release this November. What kind of sound were you going for with this album?

I would say this album is more melodic than the last album and kind of along the lines of the ‘Suit’ album with a 2010 feel but definitely with more energy and more aggressiveness in a more melodic way.

Which producers and artists did you collaborate with on this record?

Some of the producers I collaborated with on this album are Polow Da Don, on a joint that features me, Plies and a little bit of Chris Brown, and Dr. Luke on a record that features me, T-Pain and Akon. I also did a collaboration with T.I. on a joint that he produced. I also did the The-Dream record which was produced by Jim Jonsin (which is amazing) and I also did work with Kelly Rowland on a joint that was also produced by Jim Jonsin. So it’s a little bit of this, little bit of that.

Speaking of that song with Kelly Rowland – ‘Gone (Dilemma Part 2)’ – will that be included on your album or on hers?

Right now I know it’s on my album. I don’t know yet if it will be on hers but it’s on my album.

A lot of her fans are itching for that to be a single. Is it being considered to be a single or is it just going to be an album cut?

You never know.

(Laughs) Ok, so your last album, ‘Brass Knuckles’, somewhat underperformed in comparison to your previous efforts. Why do you think that happened?

I don’t know. Things happen for a reason. I think being gone for so long between albums – for about 4 years – and with the way music is changing drastically, I think sometimes you have to remind people of what it is that you do.

Kids nowadays, their intentions spans are so short; it’s not like when I first came out and we would have ‘songs of the summer’ and a song that lasted all summer long. Now it’s like ‘song of the week’ or ‘song of the month’ and you move on to the next joint. Now it’s just a little different and I think that at that time it was just one of those albums that got lost in the transition but it’s a career; it’s not like some people are look at it like “it’s over”. Out of 5 albums that dropped I only had one that didn’t sell over 4 million (giggles); every other record I did sold 4 million plus.

I think it’s just one of those things where when you succeed so much people almost want to see not succeed on a high level or they expect you to; they stop looking at it as an accomplishment and start looking at it as a requirement.

That said, what are your goals for ‘Nelly 5.0’ from a sales-standpoint?

Well I think what influenced it is that aspect. I think anytime you have people counting you out it kind of fuels the fire. When I first came out people doubted me. You had this country kid from St. Louis with this new sound and this new place and people just assumed that it wasn’t going to work and it was “nursery rhymes” and it was “nursery rap”.

I think what works for me better is when people don’t see me coming. I think I’m almost in that same boat except to say that they already understand what it is that I do and understand that it’s on and popping right now! They ain’t got to worry about it (giggles).

Many are speculating that your new single ‘Just a Dream’, which is becoming a very big radio hit, is actually about Ashanti. Is there any truth to this?

No it’s not about Ashanti. It’s just a song that I and my man Rico love came up with. It’s a song that just relatable on all levels – rich, poor, black, white, child, adult – whatever level it is. If [thinking it’s about Ashanti] is what helps people to go out and support it then so be it (giggles).

Well speaking of Ashanti, you were both photographed holding hands at T.I. and Tiny’s wedding. Is it safe to say that you’re a couple as of right now?

No it’s safe to say that we’re two friends that went to support our friends. We’re both friends of T.I and Tiny and we went down there to support them. Right now it’s safe to say that I’m a couple with my ‘5.0’ album (laughs); the person I’m dating right now is a girl by the name of ‘5.0’ and we’re planning to get married on November 16th so I’m inviting everybody to that wedding (laughs).

You have always been one of the few rappers to enjoy a lot of success both on the Urban & mainstream formats. What do you think is the formula for crossover success?

You never know. If you knew the exact formula then everyone would do it or everyone would try it or be able to expand on it. It’s just 1 of those things that you just continuously work at it and hopefully the things that you do will prosper. Everybody’s path is different; my path is different from 50 Cent’s path, my path is different from Eminem’s path; Jay-Z’s path is different from Young Jeezy’s path and from T.I.’s path. Everybody as their own path so there’s no particular formula. The only thing I could say is that the ingredient that is in every formula is determination so you definitely have to have that.

Many people compare Flo Rida’s commercial appeal and even in some way his look to yours. Do you see any such similarities between the two of you?

No…Well I mean we both rap melodically but I think it’s one of those things where I think if you have success, it’s only right that somebody’s going to be influenced by it. That’s not a bad thing. Flo Rida is a cool dude; I’m cool with dude and I don’t have any ill will towards him or anything like that so it is what it is. I think there’s enough room for everybody.

Would you be open to collaborating with Flo Rida in the future?

Who knows? You never know. I’m not against it. I think if the right joint comes along and we get to a point then who knows?

Let’s take a flashback a little bit here. You were a prominent voice on the ‘BET’s Hip-Hop vs. America’ programme & since that show aired the sexual imagery on the station has drastically declined. Do you think that the era of the video vixen is gone forever or is it just on pause?

To say that it’s gone is to say that the oldest profession that ever existed is done with. Sex sells. No matter if you got it in the same store or not there is somewhere you can buy it from.

I think that the way the Internet is allowing itself it’s only a matter of time. You could go to sites like WorldStarHipHop, and things of that nature, and they still show some of those videos. So I just think at that time BET was going in a new direction and it’s a different way that they wanted to go so they chose to do that but you’re never going to get rid of sex – never.

Speaking of BET, the network recently aired a special about the place of women in the Hip-Hop industry. Would you agree that it is more difficult for women to succeed in Hip-Hop than men?

Well I think it is but that’s only because of women. When you look at who buys the most records and who supports music they are women so if women aren’t selling any records then that’s because women aren’t supporting women. I don’t think that it has to do with anything other than that because women have proven to be just as talent and just as innovative.

I’m a huge Missy Elliot fan and I think she’s 1 of the most creative persons to ever do it, period, on any level. That’s 1 of the artists where I can’t understand why she doesn’t sell more than 2 million copies every time she comes out (giggles) because I know creatively she’s going to give you something that maybe you haven’t heard before and that’s what I look for but that’s just my opinion. I only represent 1 or 2 records not millions.

One woman that has achieved great success in the rap game is Lauryn Hill. Do you think that it is possible for her to have a comeback?

O man! True artists are only 1 hit away and I always say that. True artists are only 1 hit away. That being said, which artist do you know who’s truer than Lauryn Hill (giggles)? She is the blueprint when it comes to female cooperation. When I say cooperation I mean being a Hip-Hop star and an R&B star all in one. When you mix that up and you have that cooperation on both sides there is nobody bigger than Lauryn Hill. For her to have a comeback that’s easy; she’s 1 hit away from being what she was when she left.

It’s kind of like the ‘Mariah Carey syndrome’ when you have a true artist like that. People had written Mariah off; threw sand on her; threw dirt on her basically. When you look at what she did with 1 song and people are like “oh yeah she’s Mariah!” but o yeah she’s always been Mariah (laughs)! It’s kind of funny because I guess I’m finding that same kind of scenario now with myself. Again, when you’re a true artist and you’re an originator you’re always just 1 hit away from re-establishing or even becoming even bigger than you were.

Now we can’t talk about women in Hip-Hop and forget to mention Nicki Minaj who is currently killing the game. What do you think about her skill as a rapper?

I think Nicki is very talented. Again, it’s going to be up to women to support Nicki. That’s the thing – men are going to support who they want to support but I think women have to stand up and make their voice heard like “yo we’re gonna support this sister; we’re gonna show that we’re gonna be behind a women movement when it comes to the music”. If that happens I don’t see anyone as good as Nicki.

She’s very talented, she’s every energetic, she’s very creative with the delivery and the things that she does and I think that’s what makes a star – the creativity. It’s being able to sell every aspect of a song; not just what they hear but visually and emotionally being able to do that. I think she comes across very, very well.

That’s our time. Thank you very much for your time Nelly! It was a great speaking with you. We’re looking forward for the album and we’d definitely like to see what you have to serve up this time around.

Thank you brother! I appreciate that man. Thank you very much!

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  1. aryo September 9, 2010

    yay a new video by nicole scherzinger and enrique iglesias has come out its HOTT

  2. carl September 9, 2010

    ANOTHER co-sign for QUEEN Minaj!!! 🙂

  3. daseekah September 9, 2010

    Thanks for this interview i know this negro been missin for a min. But can someoen tell me what is nelly? Like what does he do? RnB, rap, pop? I’m at a lost in tryna figure out his whole image…..and relevancy

  4. Alex September 9, 2010

    hes seems like a nice guy!

  5. idrag4mj September 9, 2010

    great interview …i like what he said ! ‘true artists are just one hit away from a comeback’ very true!!! all you need is a hit to re establish youself.. the is hope for janet jackson to even be bigger than she was in the /80s/90s/early00s she just needfs to comeback really really hard!!! same for lauyrn hill!

  6. Lia September 9, 2010

    I love Nelly. He’s a cool ass dude. That why I’m supporting him o Nov. 16. Glad to have him back.

    Thanks for the interview. Love it.

  7. Richard September 9, 2010

    This interview really surprised me. Nelly seems far more down to earth, articulate, intelligent and just an all round, nicer guy than a lot of rappers. I absolutely love his new track, so wish him a lot of success.

    Great interview!

  8. KD September 9, 2010

    Uhm…Wow, Nelly sure does giggle a lot doesn’t he…

  9. WATEVA September 9, 2010

    Thats right Nelly! It’s SO true what he said about True artist

  10. Dave September 9, 2010

    Great interview. He def got cool points for that, cool dude.

  11. Sanging September 9, 2010

    WTF is he talking about mimoo Mariah?? And what hit was Nelly talking about Mariah Carey having?? Puleeez, not in this decade, maybe 1993 or so… Carey been a flop since Nick Cannon.

  12. GangsterA September 9, 2010

    thanx for the interview i will deff be chekin his album

  13. Sanging September 9, 2010

    I miss the gansta band aid on his cheek, lol. Whatever the dude was doing, must have healed. haha.

  14. bjksolo September 9, 2010

    Nice interview! #CiaraSpeechless on itunes now!

  15. Rudeboi September 9, 2010

    @SANGING
    Mooriah Had a hit recently with “touch my body” I think…. which added to her long list of # 1’s….18 now I think ! This was 2008 or 2009

  16. Nic September 9, 2010

    Yessss Mariah Syndrome! WE BELONG TOGETHER!!! *sigh* great interview yall!

  17. Dana September 9, 2010

    I love Nelly even more now because of this interview. He not cocky just humble and so down to earth. Love it. Love his new song too. #TEAMNELLY all the way.

    Thanks great interview guys.

  18. ~TeAM WeeZY~ September 9, 2010

    Wow, great interview TGJ!

    I love Nelly! When he came out, he was so different and original. He’s always had that hard-core rapping with a melodic mix. I love that! People think because he’s so melodic that he somehow lacks in his lyrics which is far from the truth. The dude can spit! I think that’s the main difference between him a FLOPrida. FLOPrida is the lamest dude EVER. He’s like so cheesy!

    I think ‘Country Grammar’ ‘Nellyville’ and ‘Suit’ were his AMAZING albums. And ‘Suit’ was my S***, especially ‘Paradise’, I freakin’ LOVE that song!

    And I so agree with his view on women in Hip-Hop because women are the main consumers of music. And he sure did run around that Ashanti question.

  19. HBF82 September 9, 2010

    @SANGING
    You know “WE BELONG TOGETHER” – SONG OF THE DECADE.

  20. HBF82 September 9, 2010

    @SANGING
    You know “WE BELONG TOGETHER” – SONG OF THE DECADE.
    The song that outperformed all the Kattys, Rihannas, GaGas and Beoyonces.
    From the album The emancipation of Mimi that outsold every released album by female this decade.
    Or you mean “TOUCH MY BODY” that Made Mariah – THE ARTIST WITH THE MOST #1’S IN HISTORY BY SOLO ARTIST.
    Sorry kid, the b**** is the queen. Period.

  21. Lia September 9, 2010

    5.0 in stores Nov. 15!!! Support my dude.

  22. Lia September 9, 2010

    My bad I 16th but you know what I mean. SUPPORT MY DUDE!!! LOL

  23. tera September 9, 2010

    i love nelly to the max! he the finest dude around* always lookin s*** and clean i want to hear delimma part 2 nelly and kelly always ave great chemistry together

  24. Brina September 9, 2010

    Good Interview. T4P:)

  25. F*** September 9, 2010

    @DASEEKAH
    NELLY IS THE MOST VERSATILE ARTIST IN HIP HOP
    HE CAN DO POP RAP RNB EVEN A LITTLE COUNTRY
    ONETIME INA FREESTYLE HE SAID,
    NOW I DONE PLAYED ON ERRY FORMAT DATS KNOWN TO MEN
    EXCEPT CLASSICAL N JAZZ BUT IM WORKIN ON DEM

  26. JonathanGardnerTV September 10, 2010

    NOOO! I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA H E A R TRENT’S VOICE – FINALLY! Damn!

    Sorry Nelly fans – he is so fine and all – but the real reason I came up on this article was to hear Trent talk 🙁 and the audio/video of the interview isn’t posted 🙁

    http://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/JONATHANGARDNERTV

  27. UGh September 10, 2010

    Hi Nelly. Your mouth. My c***. NOW!!!

  28. TR September 10, 2010

    YASSSS Nelly knows true talent..the Mariah mothafuckin Syndrome!! eat ur hearts out h***!!!!

  29. MUSIC LOVER September 10, 2010

    “SANGING” GOT FUCKEN SHUT DOWN!!!!!!!!!! AHAHAAHAHAH

  30. latoya September 10, 2010

    support nelly nov. 16; support nicki nov.23..i know i am..if u do not have fantasia album go get it..every song is a hit!!!

  31. old negroes TURNING music around September 10, 2010

    i cant help but wonder if OLD JEALOUS negroes are fueling all these tragic mistakes our young GREAT entertainers are making. let’s see:

    old negroes like steve harvey are laughing about their OLD R&B entertainers making a comeback, WHILE OUR GREAT YOUNG R&B artist are encouraged to go POP

    old negroes are laughing about the music TURNING AROUND (back to the old R&B days) with the OLD sound and the OLD ex druggies like el debarge and prince making a comeback. and they are laughing about rap going out of style. the rap that made our black boys and their black wives millionaires. all at the same time complaining black youth dont have jobs and blaming them 4 it, instead of the current govt.

    Well these old A-holes just might think they are winning, BUT THE REAL WINNERS WILL BE WHITE RASCIST.

    ALL THESE OLD NEGROES WILL NEVER OUT SELL TODAY’S YOUNG PEOPLE. THE CHITLIN CIRCUIT WILL RETURN AND THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WILL BECOME MILLIONAIRES ARE WHITE PEOPLE.

    DUMB NEGROES, ESPECIALLY OLD DRUG BRAIN DAMAGED, NEGROES NEED TO JUST ROT IN A BURNING HELL 4 WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO DR. KING’S DREAM.

  32. Keepin it 100 September 10, 2010

    If he wanna sell records again he gotta do records like how he did like country grammer, hot & here, etc.

  33. Princess September 10, 2010

    Nelly needs to keeps doing Nelly. I love Nelly. Great artist. He is not afraid to take risks. I can’t wait for the album. He is a very versatile artist.

  34. Soulful Roses September 10, 2010

    I just love this man 🙂 ….so cool and down to earth..

    @TeamWeezy
    Agreed…

  35. The truth teller September 10, 2010

    IM JUST WAITING FOR THE COLLABO WITH KELLY!!!!

    I WILL SUPPORT THAT ONE 1000% my ears are itching to hear that cut!!!!!!

  36. Oceanmate September 10, 2010

    Love Me some Nelly. I still remember how great his concert was (and it was raining!)

  37. beverleyannejones September 11, 2010

    Hi Trent,

    Great interview,I am impressed, not weak questions at all. Finally a Trini who gets it right and know how to get the answers that reveal a person inner self. I am looking forward to your interview with Oprah……lol

  38. Imma-Nova September 12, 2010

    What! So? Is The-Dream on his album?

  39. kid2010 September 14, 2010

    lmao @ SANGIN wtf?! You MUST HAVE BEEN LIVING under a ROCK to not notice MARIAH has had FOUR NUMBER ONES ON HOT 100 and even MORE on other charts! Not to mention her single I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS was a HUGE HIT, maybe not on the hot 100 chart, BUT IT DEFINITELY SET records for her 20+ career….LEGEND SANGING go find something to do…

  40. like sky October 21, 2010

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  41. beba19 March 22, 2011

    hey

  42. TAMEKA March 28, 2011

    IKNO THAT RITE NELLY SHIDD

  43. Monster – Diddybeats by Diddy – Black April 2, 2012

    Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

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