It’s getting “Hot in Herre” as we flashback to Nov. 2, 1974, the day when Cornell “Nelly” Haynes was born. Growing up in St. Louis, the Grammy Award-winning artist was an avid baseball fan and had dreams of the major leagues.

It was in high school when Nelly decided to focus on a rap career. He and his high school buddies formed the Southern rap group the St. Lunatics in the early ‘90s.

Nelly signed to Universal Records in 1999 and released his most acclaimed album to date, Country Grammar, in 2000. The album featured the catchy nursery rhyme-infused hit “Country Grammar,” an ode to Nelly’s St. Louis upbringing. Country Grammar debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and went on to peak at number one.

His second album, Nellyville, featured the chart-topping singles “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma” and “Air Force Ones,” and paved the way for Grammy Award wins in 2003 and 2004. He dropped the double album Sweat/Suit in 2004, which once again had Nelly sitting at the top of the Billboard charts.

His successful rap career opened the doors for acting, clothing design, philanthropy and more. Nelly recently released his seventh studio album, M.O., on Sept. 30. He owns two clothing lines, Apple Bottoms and Vokal, and has appeared on several TV series and big picture films.  He is currently starring on BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood. 

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(Photo: Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)