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Nelly: Where Hip-Hop and Country Connect

Nelly has been one of the first artists to break the Hip-Hop and Country barrier with his 2004 collaboration with Tim McGraw, “Over and Over.” Ever since, he’s been a…

Nelly
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

Nelly has been one of the first artists to break the Hip-Hop and Country barrier with his 2004 collaboration with Tim McGraw, "Over and Over." Ever since, he's been a favorite collaborator for country artists, and back in August, Nelly released Heartland, a country album that reached Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and which featured Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line, and other country acts. CMT has embraced Nelly's contributions as well: just last month, the rapper was highlighted during CMT's Crossroads , a show that celebrates artists from other genres.

So, Nelly is having a moment: besides all the love that he's getting from the country music community, he was just honored at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards as he received the I Am Hip Hop award which recognizes distinguished artists that continue to elevate the culture. Nelly's performance medley of his greatest hits was easily the highlight of the award show.

Check out Nelly's performance at the BET Awards and as well as his performances at CMT's Crossroads special.

Nelly & Florida Georgia Line Perform Lil Bit

Nelly, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Blanco Brown & Breland

Nelly, Kane Brown, Blanco Brown & Breland Perform Country Grammar

Nelly, Blanco Brown & Breland Perform High Horse

Nelly, Kane Brown, Blanco Brown & Breland Perform Ride Wit Me

Nelly & Kane Brown Perform Grits & Glamour

Nelly Performs His Greatest Hits at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards

Autumn Hawkins is the National Hip-Hop and R&B writer for Beasley Media, currently residing in New Jersey. Prior to working at Beasley Media, she was in broadcast news as an entertainment producer. When she's not impatiently waiting for Beyoncé to drop new music, she is reading, shopping, or planning a vacation.