Nelly on top with Nellyville

How does it feel to have two of the most popular songs in the US of A today? If Nelly were around he would be able to give an apt description. And not only does he have two big hits in the charts, he is also providing very stiff competition to really big names like Bruce Springsteen, who has a new album The Rising and of course to another rapper, Eminem with his The Eminem Show.

Ecstatic must be Nelly’s answer. The talented rapper from the wrong side of the tracks in St. Louis, is responsible for the number one and two songs in Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 list, Dilemma featuring Kelly Rowland and Hot in Herre. His new release, Nellyville ranks number two in the Top 200 Albums list, second only to The Eminem Show.

If you enjoyed Nelly’s first outing, the Grammy nominated Country Grammer with the big hit Ride With Me, then you will surely love Nellyville. The album talks about a Utopian world of hip hop with no drugs and no guns in the title track, about the goodies that come with stardom and big money; Perks, the usual broken heart; The Gank, failed relationships; Dilemma, even about getting new sneakers; Air Force Ones and other interesting topics set to a mix of rock, R&B and pop melodies.

Although the music here is superior to the usual and the arrangements do roll with the funk, the best thing about Nellyville is Nelly himself. His kind of rap is smooth and sexy. He approaches his materials with confidence that renders everything fluid. He could be rapping or whooping about the roughest of subjects but Nelly will still be cool. Best of all, he sounds so sincere and happy. Leave the rage to Eminem. Nelly, who is only 24, knows how to savor his blessings and it shows.

The first single out is Hot in Herre. I do not know what gives with the double "r" but Nelly rolls it well. Besides you don’t ask any question anymore about something that works extremely well. Hot in Herre is the album’s party tune and it is a hit. His second, and the current number one seller is Dilemma with Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child. Another one of Nelly’s guest is N’ Sync heartthrob Justin Timberlake. Nelly rapped on the boy group’s Girlfriend so Justin is now returning the favor on Work It.

Other cuts in Nellyville are Getting It Started, Dem Boyz, Oh Nelly, Pimp Juice, In the Store, On the Grind, Roc the Mic-Remix, 5000, #1, CG 2, Say Now and ****It Then.

Nelly is of course not Nelly Furtado. Furtado is a girl from Canada. This one is male and he is just plain Nelly, whose difficult beginnings are now becoming legend. He was this gifted homeless kid who went from relative to relative and hang around with undesirable elements. In fact, the former Cornell Haynes, Jr., seemed headed for skid row. But Nelly had great flair for two things, baseball and music and had offers to turn pro in both fields. Two years ago, he made his choice, and the result was Country Grammar.

Hit lists in the US

The hit lists in the US of A this week are as follows: The singles: Dilemma by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland; Hot in Herre also by Nelly; Complicated by Avril Lavigne; Just a Friend by Mario; I Need a Girl (Part Two) by P. Diddy & Ginuwine featuring Loon, Mario Winans & Tammy Ruggeri; Gangsta Lovin’ by Eve featuring Alicia Keys; Long Time Gone by the Dixie Chicks; Down 4 U by Irv Gotti Presents The Inc. featuring Ja Rule, Ashanti, Charli Baltimore and Vita; Cleaning Out My Closet by Eminem; and Happy by Ashanti.

The albums: The Eminem Show by Eminem; Nellyville by Nelly; Let Go by new sensation from Canada Avril Lavigne; Lord Willin’ by Clipse; The Rising by Bruce Springsteen; October Road by James Taylor; Now 10 by Various Artists; [Reanimation] by Linkin Park; Unleashed by Toby; and Come Away with Me by Norah Jones.

Take note. One of the new entries in the top 10 albums this week is October Road by James Taylor, best known for hits like Fire and Rain and You’ve Got a Friend from 30 years ago. With Taylor and Springsteen back in the hit charts, it certainly looks like the era of the ‘70s is really back.