It’s been two decades since Nelly dropped his debut album and somehow tracks like the titular “Country Grammar (Hot Shit)” and “Ride wit Me” still sound fresh. Nelly’s schoolyard hooks get instantly stuck in your head and the bass-heavy southern-style beats thump hard. Nelly’s sing-rapping flow is unquestionably iconic and paved the way for a whole generation of rappa-ternt-sangas like T-Pain and Kid Cudi. For a couple of guys from the Midwest, Jay E and City Spud’s production fuses elements of Houston rap, New Orleans bounce, and West Coast hip-hop flavors into something truly unique for the region. It’s a shame City Spud didn’t get to see the success of his production on Country Grammar or the appropriately named St. Lunatics album Free City until he got out of jail nine years later. Let’s just hope someone reissues Nelly’s follow-up record Nellyville come 2022 because those Discogs prices are steep!

• black double vinyl pressing
  
• housed in full color gatefold sleeve
• music label: Motown / UMe 2020

reviewed by SHH! 08/2021