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GO NELLY!
He Calls Justin "Dirty," He Loves A Sweaty Party, And His New Album Is Blowing Up. Yet Somehow Nelly Knows How To Keep It All Cool

It's a sticky 90-degree day in Manhattan, and he's running more than an hour late. But Nelly, dressed in his usual baseball cap, jersey and sparkling diamonds, a jewel-encrusted "Nelly" necklace and a single stud in each ear, is chilling out in an air-conditioned van. He's on his way to MTV to promote his new album, Nellyville, and give a sneak preview of the first single, the Neptunes-produced, bass-thumping, summer jam "Hot in Herre" (spelled and spoken with an extra r, a nod to his native St.Louis twang).

"We've all been to that party where it's real hot inside, guys and girls might be taking off articles of clothing, but no matter how much you're sweatin', you're still having such a good time," says the 27-year-old rapper. "I mean, nothing porno about it, but it's a nice and sexy party."

The fun started in high school, when Nelly (born Cornell Haynes Jr.) formed the St.Lunatics with three friends and his younger brother and scored a local hit single, "Gimme What Ya Got," in 1996, but couldn't snag a record deal. The Lunatics gambled on Nelly, pushing him as a solo act, and the rest is hip-hop history: Nelly's 2000 debut, Country Grammar, showcased fun, catchy beats, selling more than 8 million records. Nellyville, his second effort, features appearances by Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child, the St.Lunatics, rappers Beanie Sigel and Freeway, and Justin Timberlake (yes, that Justin Timberlake) Nelly worked with him on 'Nsync's "Girlfriend" remix last year.)

I know "Dirty" [his nickname for Justin; translation: "homeboy"] from the rehearsals for the 2001 Super Bowl half-time show," says Nelly. "That was the first time we sat down and talked about anything other than music.

"Justin did a song called 'Work It' for my album," he continues. "It's banging, and again, about girls. I think that's the whole Nelly world: girls." He flashes a coy, gold-toothy grin. "I think for me and Justin, we love performing and the fans. You have to have a passion for that." And, of course, for the ladies. The unattached rapper admits, "That's a lot of what you deal with once you get to a certain point. You have to be responsible, but we have fun with it too."

Despite how crazy things get, Nelly is a pro at keeping his cool. He credits his ease to his baseball-playing days in high school, when he'd step up to the plate to hit with two outs in the ninth inning. "I never felt pressure," he says, "just the energy and excitement of 'Let's get it rolling.'"

Which is exactly what he's about to do with Nellyville. "I'm satisfied with the record," he says, stepping out of the van. "As long as the fans are satisfied, it's a done deal."

Giselle Wasfie

COPYRIGHT TEEN PEOPLE, August 2002