Nelly with EVE, Fabolous, and more

Nelly, born Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr., is a St. Louis-based rapper known for hits like "Hot in Herre," "Dilemma," and "Shake Ya Tailfeather." With a mix of country and street style, he achieved crossover appeal, earning Grammy awards and six consecutive Top Ten albums. Nelly's collaborations span genres, working with artists like Kelly Rowland, Justin Timberlake, and Tim McGraw. His versatile style led to a country-pop fusion in the 2021 album "Heartland." Well-known for catchy hooks and commercial success, his career includes albums like the diamond-certified "Country Grammar."

Born in Queens, NY, Ja Rule rose to fame in the early 2000s. Known for rap-R&B hits like "I'm Real" and "Always on Time," he collaborated with R. Kelly, Ashanti, and Lil Wayne. His albums Venni Vetti Vecci and Rule 3:36 topped charts. Despite beef with 50 Cent, Ja Rule remains notable for his commercial success and collaborations.

St. Louis-based rap group St. Lunatics, formed in 1993, features Nelly, Ali, City Spud, Kyjuan, and Murphy Lee. Known for "Free City," the group signed with Universal Records.