Although the track "Country Grammar" has been on my playlist since January (thanks Napster), I was interested to see if the rest of the album would play out on the same level. Many of the debut artists that come out with a single months ahead of time hit you with a horrible debut album in the future. Attention: This is NOT the case with Nelly. The CD starts out with a hilarious intro from Cedric the Entertainer. It flows right into the "Hood's" theme song, "St. Louie". At this point I usually expect there to be a fall off until the popular track comes on and then the rest of the track to be so-so. But no! The tracks all exemplify the astoundingly new voice of Nelly. His voice is a mix of R+B and Rap. It's like he's singing/saying his lyrics at the same time. It is very refreshing in the times of all the wanna-bes that all sound the same. Nelly doesn't care about being hardcore like DMX. He doesn't care about being as big a playa as Jay-Z. He doesn't spit the hate like Eminem. Yet, this is what makes Nelly a standout. I would have given the album five stars, but it's only his debut. We'll see if he has the staying power. I think he does. If you are any fan of rap, hip-hop, or R+B, pick up this album TODAY!

STOP HERE! READ THIS! I'm not sure these other reviewers haveactually listened to the entire album or know anything abouthip-hop. I give them credit for at least giving the album a good rating, but I think most of them sound like teeny boppers who are too stuck on Em and Jay-Z to know what a good hip-hop album is. I bought this album off the strength of the single Country Grammar, and because he gives props to my home state of Indiana in it(much love for that Nelly), but I wasn't expecting much more than that. Was I ever surprised. This album is off tha hook and completely tears the roof off the new sound that crawled out from the south. Move over Juvi there's a new king in town and Nelly's wearing the crown. Although it's risky giving this much credit to a young upstart I'm going out on a limb to say Nelly has done an amazing job at bringing a new fresh sound to the hip-hop/rap scene,and lets hope it has staying power. Jay-ZZZ(yawn)and the "sHot" Boys only wish they could have made an album this good. I mean what a novel idea, load the album up with good tracks from start to finish not just one or two good songs and a bunch of filler(yeah Jay I'm talkin to you). Anyway, I digress, the album itself is a unique breakthrough best described as a fresh blend of St.Louis blues,good R&B, and hip-hop/rap. The lyrics are crazy good and full of homegrown midwest flavor that has never been caught on a rap album before(again,much love Nelly for telling the world we're not corn-bred hillbillies),and the flow is all laid-back-mellow gold-chillin-with-the-top-down good. The guitar lick on Ride wit me(#7)is the smoothest groove I've ever heard on a rap album. Country Grammar(#4) is,of course, good its blazin the charts. Other good tracks are: Batter Up(#14),which makes dope use of The Jefferson's theme song;and,Luven Me(#16),a beautiful,beautiful shout out to the ladies in his life. Most of the tracks feature boys from the St. Lou crew who do excellent work supporting the album. Solo projects from them should be anticipated. In short,this album is one of the best new things to come off the block and you people should eat it up,it's worth it. What are you waitin' on? Go buy it!

I give credit where credit is due. I'll be honest, he won me over with the run away single "Country Grammer". But, regaurdless of the reason I bought the album, I wasn't disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I am not going to bash rappers like DMX, Jay-Z, Eminem or Juvenile; simply because I realize they have had huge success in the past. Therefore, unlike some of the previous reviewers, I am going to leave those artist out.

Okay, if you like Lauryn Hill, you'll definitely like Nelly. I think they share a lot in common. Their subject matter is slightly different, but in all actuality there styles are much the same. Take for instance "Utha Side", in his own unique way Nelly has grasped attention of the listener to his music; much like Tupac, when he is talking about reality. Many people get caught up in listening to the bass lines instead of the lyrics. Truely music should sell itself solely on the words, but the world doesn't work that way. Therefore, he displays a great beat with the A-plus lyrical work. Continuing on the "Utha Side", he takes time out of his "Bling-Blinging Image" to talk about what's real. Verse One: He talks about a big time drug dealer, who have been getting watch by the feds, and is soon to be under attack, offers the advice for him to slow down. Verse Two: He talks about a female, who sells her body at night to gain the finer things in life. In conclusion she doesn't understand the burdens it puts on herself nor her children. Verse Three: He talks about a younger male, who doesn't attend school, and is headed for prison; as he sells drugs on the corner.

Talk about lyrics. In the song "Greed, Hate & Envy" which I believe is highlighted by Verse 3- Nelly tells you what most black males experience daily just riding around. He puts together a dynamic visual illusion in this verse, and gathers the listener, simply because we can relate. "What the Hell ya'll messing with me for? The speed limit is 30, and I'm just doing 34." I have been in that situation before, and I can relate. The cops pull you over for no reason but because of your skin color and the vehicle you are driving.

I could go on forever breaking down the lyrical content of Nelly, but I won't. I think the listener can do that, once he/she buys the album. (plus I would take all the suspense out) His genre of mixing R&B and Rap together is a huge success. With his style, and his poetic pontential, I have the pleasure of calling him the male Lauryn Hill. (Now she finally has a counterpart)

Encore....

Nelly! Is one of this Summer's Best Cd's! Every track is a Hit! This Cd will have you Bobbin your head to every cut! Project Pat! 504 has nothin on Nelly! This is a must have! Great bass for a boomin system! Roll all your windows down and cruise the local strip! Yea Yeah!

Nelly-Country Grammar

1. Intro-Cedric the Entertainer does a good job.
2. St. Louie-Great song. Good lyrics and rhymes.
3. Greed, Hate, Envy-Another great song. Good chorous.
4. Country Grammar-What's to say except. This songs is one of my favorite songs of all time. I never get tired of it.
5. Steal the Show-Good song. The St. Lunatics do a good job.
6. Interlude
7. Ride Wit Me-Great song. Great lyrics. Great rhymes.
8. E.I.-This is an awesome song. It's called good background music and lyrics too.
9. Thicky Thick Girl-Not one of my favorites but ok.
10. For My-Good song. Lil Wayne is one of my favorite rappers. So if he's in it it's must be pretty good. Good lyrics.
11. Utha Side-This one is ok. Not on of my favorites.
12. Tho Dem Wrappas-This is a good one. Music is really cool at the beginning.
13. Wrap Sumden-Love this one. Chorous is excellent.
14. Batter Up-The best song on here!! Ali and Murphy Lee are great.
15. Never Let'Em C U Sweat-Pretty good. Starts out good but doesn't get better.
16. Luven Me-Very emotional. Not bad.
17. Outro