Cornell Hayes, Jr. probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Regardless what you think of his music, he has sold over 30 million copies of his albums worldwide. That’s no easy feat for anyone. He’s been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards and has taken home three - once again, no easy feat. But those accomplishments have not come without constant criticism. Some have said Nelly isn’t “real” Hip Hop while others have even go as far to say he’s “killing” Hip Hop. But Nelly hasn’t said much in return and continues to cash checks and proceed into other business ventures (Apple Bottom’s and ownership in Charlotte Bobcats for instance).

For all that Nelly has done without the use of violent lyrics, one would think he’d be recognized for his successes more than anything else. Unfortunately for Nelly, this is not true as his most notable controversy had yet to come.

He caused a massive ruckus amongst women with his R rated video for “Tip Drill” and was subsequently told by the all-female contingency at Spelman College that he was not welcome to be a part of a charity drive for bone marrow registry. His sister would pass away in 2005 from Leukemia after a suitable bone marrow donor could not be found. We haven’t heard as much as a peep from Nelly since. In 2008, Nelly plans to make his return with his latest venture titled Brass Knuckles.

But today is a different day. Gold is the new platinum and the guard has changed. Instead of Nelly being the new movement, Soulja Boy has become the drink of choice for young Hip Hop fans. Where does that leave Nelly?

HipHopDX got to sit down with Nelly to discuss Soulja Boy, his whereabouts, working with Chuck D, regrets and his new album.

HipHopDX: You haven’t put out an album in a while. When you see the Soulja Boys and others make their rise, do you feel that there’s a void with you gone?
Nelly: I love Soulja Boy [click to read]. I think what people are forgetting is that Hip Hop was created by the youth. So why are all the old people trying to control it? You feel what I’m saying? It was created by the youth. We chose our own music and we chose what we wanted to rock out to. The only reason Hip Hop was formed was because people were trying to tell us what we should be listening to and what we should be doing. Our grandparents said that it wouldn’t last, that it was horrible and all that. We (as a community) better stop doing that because do you know what we look like to our kids? A bunch of fucking haters. My daughter loves Soulja Boy. Why would I hate on Soulja Boy? Why would I want to be a hater in the eyes of my daughter?

DX: It’s been four years since your last album. How have you matured as an individual?
Nelly: When you lose someone as close to you as your sister, then you turn around and lose your grandfather, it makes you appreciate everybody else that much stronger. Every time somebody dies, you grow. You realize certain things that you have to move on from. I just wanted to continue what I’ve been doing. I always take a fresh approach when it’s time to make an album. I always try to find a new sound that ain’t out there. That’s just my approach on life period.

DX: You mentioned that Chuck D is on the album, which is going to be a surprise to a lot of people. How did that happen?
Nelly: I did this song and just thought that Chuck would be ill on it. We was at [BET’s] Hip-Hop Vs America and I was talking to him backstage and told him I had a crazy idea that I’d love to get him on. He was like, “It’s done!” I said, “Yeah so it’s crazy,” and he said, “Brotha…it’s done!” That just made me feel real good for him to trust in me that I wouldn’t bring him something Chuck D would sound crazy on.

DX: Around the time of Hip-Hop Vs America, a lot of people tried to come at you about “Tip Drill” and the video ho elements in videos. Do you have any regrets about anything you’ve done in the past?
Nelly: Never. No regrets. I did nothing wrong. I made an adult video for an adult program that came on at an adult time that said “parental guidance.” I feel privileged that I have fans that range in age from eight to 80. But be that as it may, you can’t be mad at the father because the son found the Playboy books that he was hiding. You didn’t mean for him to find them, but he found them. Now let’s explain that to him and let him know that it’s not the end of the world. Let him know that those books aren’t for him. Those books are for adults and he shouldn’t be watching or reading this. If your kid is up watching videos at 3am on a Monday? That’s not a Nelly problem. I have no control over that part. How is it that my daughter hasn’t seen “Tip Drill?” Continued on page 2 »