Nelly: Country Grammar Vinyl 2LP

Its been two decades since Nelly dropped his debut albumand somehow tracks like the titular Country Grammar (Hot Shit) and Ride wit Me still sound fresh. Nellys schoolyard hooks get instantly stuck in your head and the bass-heavy southern-style beats thump hard. Nellys sing-rapping flow is unquestionably iconic and paved the way for a whole generation of rappa-ternt-sangas like T-Pain and Kid Cudi. For a couple of guys from the Midwest, Jay E and City Spuds production fuses elements of Houston rap, New Orleans bounce, and West Coast hip-hop flavors into something truly unique for the region. Its a shame City Spud didnt get to see the success of his production on Country Grammar or the appropriately named St. Lunatics album Free City until he got out of jail nine years later. Lets just hope someone reissues Nellys follow-up record Nellyville come 2022 because those Discogs prices are steep!

• black double vinyl pressing
• housed in full color gatefold sleeve
• music label: Motown / UMe 2020

reviewed by SHH! 08/2021

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