Nelly

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Records

Nelly has been recognized as one of the best-selling hip-hop artists in American history. The RIAA ranks him as the fourth-best-selling hip-hop artist of all time, with 21 million albums sold in the U.S. alone. In 2009, Billboard placed him at number three on its Top Artists of the Decade list for the 2000s, a testament to his massive commercial impact during that period. He received a custom RIAA Career Award in 2023 for surpassing 62.5 million certified units, a rare honor that underscores his enduring popularity. Journalist Peter Shapiro called him 'one of the biggest stars of the new millennium,' a label that fits his cross-genre appeal and consistent chart dominance.

AwardsNelly has won three Grammy Awards: Best Male Rap Solo Performance for 'Hot in Herre' (2003), Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for 'Dilemma' (2003), and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for 'Shake Ya Tailfeather' (2004). He has also won nine Billboard Music Awards, including Top Rap Artist and Hot 100 Single of the Year. Other wins include an American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist (2003), an MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video, and a BET Award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist.

Honours & Distinctions

RIAA Career Award

Recording Industry Association of America·2023

Custom award for over 62.5 million certified units in the United States.

Rankings & Lists

Top Artists of the Decade (2000s)

Billboard·2009

Best-Selling Hip-Hop Artists in American Music History

RIAA·2014

Records & Feats

First artist to have a diamond-certified debut album in the 2000s

Career Milestone·2000

Nelly's Country Grammar was certified diamond by the RIAA, making him the first hip-hop artist of the 2000s to achieve this with a debut album.

Two Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles from one album

Chart Record·2002

Nellyville produced two consecutive Hot 100 number-one hits: 'Hot in Herre' and 'Dilemma', a rare feat.