The Evolution of Nelly

It's been a wild journey to stardom for the birthday boy.

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The Evolution of Nelly - Andalay andalay! Today, Nov. 2, marks Nelly's birthday. Over his 38 years on the planet, the St. Louis superstar has sold over 21 million records in the U.S. alone, won three Grammys and permanently implanted way too many infectious hooks into your subconscious. Click on to see Nelly's whirlwind journey. (Photo: John Amis/PictureGroup)

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"Country Grammar" - Nelly seemingly came out of nowhere with his debut smash, "Country Grammar." The surprise hit, which bubbled up slowly from regional phenomenon to No. 7 on Billboard, introduced the world to Nelly's sing-songy Midwestern flow.(Photo: Universal Motown)

Photo By Photo: Universal Motown Records/ Universal Motown Records

Nelly Year: 2000 - (Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect)

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Not a Fluke - "Country Grammar" wasn't just a flash in the pan though—it led Nelly's debut LP of the same name to a No. 3 debut on Billboard and over 9 million sales in the U.S. alone.(Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect

St. Lunatics  - Some superstars never look back, but not Nelly. After he got signed, he put on the crew he started with, the St. Lunatics. Their 2001 major-label debut Free City followed Nelly's platinum footsteps.(Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect/Getty Images)

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St. Lunatics - Some superstars never look back, but not Nelly. After he got signed, he put on the crew he started with, the St. Lunatics. Their 2001 major-label debut Free City followed Nelly's platinum footsteps.(Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect/Getty Images)

"Hot in Herre" - After his game-crashing debut success, Nelly returned in 2002 with a new, expanded sound, linking with hitmakers the Neptunes for the undeniable chart-topper "Hot in Herre."(Photo: Universal Motown)

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"Hot in Herre" - After his game-crashing debut success, Nelly returned in 2002 with a new, expanded sound, linking with hitmakers the Neptunes for the undeniable chart-topper "Hot in Herre."(Photo: Universal Motown)

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Certified Nelly - Nelly's second solo album, Nellyville, was certified six-times platinum on June 27, 2003.  (Photo: Universal Records)

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Nellyville - Nelly showed skeptics he was here to stay with his sophomore album, Nellyville, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard and pushed six-time platinum thanks to lead single "Hot in Herre"(Photo: Universal Motown)

Grammy-Winner - Nellyville helped Nelly land his first Grammys in 2003: Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Dilemma," his duet with Kelly Rowland; and Best Male Rap Solo Performance for "Hot in Herre."(Photo: Adrees Latif/Reuters)

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Grammy-Winner - Nellyville helped Nelly land his first Grammys in 2003: Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Dilemma," his duet with Kelly Rowland; and Best Male Rap Solo Performance for "Hot in Herre."(Photo: Adrees Latif/Reuters)

"Tip Drill" - Nelly landed in hot water with 2003's "Tip Drill," with many criticizing the song and its accompanying video for being overly explicit and sexist.  (Photo: Universal Motown)

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"Tip Drill" - Nelly landed in hot water with 2003's "Tip Drill," with many criticizing the song and its accompanying video for being overly explicit and sexist.  (Photo: Universal Motown)

"Over and Over" - Talk about crossing over: Nelly linked with country music star Tim McGraw for his surprise Top 10 smash "Over and Over" in 2004.(Photo: Universal Motown)

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"Over and Over" - Talk about crossing over: Nelly linked with country music star Tim McGraw for his surprise Top 10 smash "Over and Over" in 2004.(Photo: Universal Motown)

Nelly/Ashanti - Nelly and Ashanti may have been hiding their relationship at the time, but that didn't stop them from releasing a lovey-dovey collabo, "Body on Me," in 2008. But wait—Akon was on the song, too. Scandal! (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Body on Me - Though they rarely publicly comment on their relationship, and have even flat-out denied it at times, Nelly's been dating R&B songstress Ashanti for several years. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Nelly - “There are so many different [types of] relationships. It’s hard to say...which rules they should [follow], because it’s just [about] being happy.” —Nelly on admitting he has cheated (Photo credit: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

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He's a Business, Man - It was never just music with Nelly. He's caked off by expanding his brand to include fashion (AppleBottoms and Vokal), energy drinks (Pimp Juice) and acting (feature film The Longest Yard).(Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Family Affair - Since the passing of his sister Jacqueline Donahue, to leukemia in 2005, hip hop star Nelly has become a major advocate in raising the awareness for bone marrow transplants. The St. Louis-bred MC has spearheaded numerous bone marrow donation drives and contributed millions of dollars to the cause through the foundation he started with his sister, Jes Us 4 Jackie Foundation. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Getty Images for Bud Light)

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Don't Call It a Comeback - Believe it or not, Nelly hasn't really gone anywhere—his 2010 hit "Just a Dream" went triple-platinum, leading off his sixth album 5.0, which dropped that same year. (Photo: Jordan Strauss/Getty Images for Bud Light)

Nelly - Nelly hooked up with Ford Explorer in 2011 to tout the quality of the SUV's sound system.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Mixtape King - In December of last year, Nelly entered the mixtape for the first time with O.E.M.O.  (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

In the Spotlight - Nelly shines during a performance critique on his new reality music makeover series, The Next, on the CW. The show travels across the nation to find Internet sensations and tries to turn them into stars overnight.   (Photo: Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Attention, Team Breezy - In July, Nelly leaked "Marry Go Round," featuring Chris Brown, the first single from his upcoming album M.O. (Photo: Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Nelly: November 2 - The "Country Grammar" rapper and Ashanti's main squeeze turns 38.   (Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

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Happy Birthday! - Normally people get presents on their birthday, but Nelly is apparently in a giving mood. To celebrate his birthday today, Nov. 2, Nelly released a free mixtape, Scorpio Season, as a gift to his loyal fans.(Photo: Bryan Steffy/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images