Gary Gray
As the media embraces hip-hop as never before, the struggle to break into the rap business is harder than ever for up-and-coming rappers.
To make it in rap you have to give a little extra just to be noticed. But there are a few rappers who stand out, not only because of their talent but for their other accomplishments.
St. Louis native Nelly is one of those rappers.
On Oct. 14, Nelly released his fourth album, “Sweat.” On the same day, he also released his fifth album, “Suit.”
That’s right. Nelly released two albums in one day –making him the only rapper and the first black person to do so.
After the week was over, however, the rapper had actually accomplished an even greater feat: the two albums had sold more than a million copies. He also became the first solo artist to ever hold the No. 1 and No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200 and the Top Hip-Hop and R&B album charts at the same time.
The two albums are completely different. “Suit” is smooth R&B. Even though Nelly is a rapper, he sings his way through most of “Suit.” The album’s first single, “My Place,” is an awesome song. It samples the Teddy Pendergrass version but showcases singer Jaheim on the chorus.
The song “Over and Over” broke barriers, because it features country music star Tim McGraw. His style of country music meshes well with Nelly’s smooth voice.
The “Sweat” album takes on a different persona. It has the club tracks that we all know Nelly can execute. Its first single, “Flap Yo Wings,” is a worthy successor to his earlier smash hit, “Hot in Here.”
Other tracks, such as “Na, Na, Na” and “Let a Grand Hang Out,” are songs that can get you grooving.
“Sweat” and “Suit” are not just record breaking CDs, they are good CDs.
Anybody who is wary about paying double the money to hear songs from this artist doesn’t need to worry; whether you have on sweats or a suit, Nelly’s got the right song for you.