Nelly Sued by Former Group Members Over ‘Country Grammar’ Royalties
Nelly, the Grammy-winning rapper famous for hits like Hot in Herre and Dilemma, is now facing legal action from his former group members over royalties tied to his breakthrough album Country Grammar. The lawsuit, filed by members of the St. Lunatics, claims that Nelly owes them compensation for their contributions to his 2000 debut album, which sold over 10 million copies and catapulted Nelly to global fame.
The St. Lunatics, a hip-hop collective from St. Louis that Nelly was once part of, argue that they were instrumental in the creation of Country Grammar and its subsequent success. Despite this, they claim they haven’t received their rightful share of the profits, sparking the legal battle.
In the lawsuit, the group alleges that Nelly has consistently refused to acknowledge their role in the production and success of the album, which includes hits like “Ride Wit Me” and the title track, “Country Grammar.” According to the group, they contributed to the songwriting and overall sound of the album but were sidelined once Nelly’s solo career took off.
Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr., has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, but insiders suggest that the case could hinge on contractual obligations and royalty splits that were agreed upon during the early days of his career.
As the legal fight intensifies, fans are watching closely to see how this affects Nelly’s relationship with his former collaborators. Country Grammar remains one of the most successful hip-hop albums of all time, and the dispute highlights the often murky world of music royalties and artist collaborations.
The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for similar cases in the music industry, where disagreements over royalties often arise long after the spotlight fades.
