Nelly, St. Lunatics come together at awards show
The 50th annual American Music Awards turned into a celebration of St. Louis’ hip-hop legacy when Nelly and St. Lunatic members Kyjuan, Murphy Lee, City Spud and Slo Down hit the stage to perform on Oct. 6. They were joined by rappers J-Kwon and Chingy, setting the award show on fire with hit records from St. Louis biggest names in rap music.
Singer and songwriter Kane Brown introduced “Country Grammar” rapper Nelly, who kicked things off with his 2002 song “Air Force Ones.” St. Lunatics’ member Slo Down joined him on stage along with dancers and producer Jay E. And a St. Louis hip-hop showdown commenced live for the entire world to see.
Nelly performs Nov. 2, 2021, at his birthday concert at Ballpark Village.
Fellow Lunatic Kyjuan walked out to perform song’s second verse before City Spud hit the stage for his classic verse from the song “Ride Wit Me.” It wasn’t long before they were joined by rapper Murphy Lee, who performed his featured verse from Jermaine Dupri’s song “Welcome to Atlanta (Coast 2 Coast Remix)” that celebrated St. Louis pride when it was released in 2002. Murphy Lee transitioned into his hit song “What Da Hook Gon Be,” which peaked at number 17 on the U.S. pop charts in 2003.
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St. Lunatics
The St. Lunatics performance came as a surprise to many viewers after news that the St. Louis group was suing Nelly for being denied writing credits and royalties, according to a complaint was filed in Manhattan federal court on Sept. 18. However, the St. Lunatics appeared in a unified front at the American Music Awards in a grand display of how St. Louis has influenced hip-hop culture. St. Lunatics member Ali did not perform with the group.
Rapper Kyjuan says the performance didn’t even feel like the group members were on television. He said he enjoyed being back together, performing, rehearsing and traveling as they prepared for the award show. Kyjuan says he isn’t concerned with what’s being said in the media and that no one person is at fault. Instead, he’s focused on continuing to come together as a group and their future, not the past.
“As friends and as brothers, we all have our disagreements or our trials and tribulations,” Kyjuan says. “We were the biggest thing walking, so there’s going to be a lot of mistakes made at the beginning. And those beginnings, they come catch up with you later.”
The St. Louis music frenzy didn’t end with the St. Lunatics. Rapper Chingy took over the set, performing his hit song “Right Thurr,” which took over the Billboard Hot 100 number 2 spot for five consecutive weeks in 2003. As Chingy wrapped up, rapper J-Kwon descended the steps to perform his ode to teen drinking “Tipsy,” which is currently sampled on the hit country song “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey.
“I just super proud of my city,” J-Kwon says about hitting the stage at the AMA’s Sunday night.
The night wasn’t over without Nelly performing the hit record “Hot in Herre,” drawing immense screams from the award show audience. The St. Louis rappers stood center stage, concluding five minutes celebrating St. Louis’ biggest voices in hip-hop.
St. Louis rapper Nelly surprised Missouri educators May 19, 2021, during an end-of-the-year Zoom meeting.
“Teachers are our real heroes, and this year, virtual teachers went beyond anything they could have imagined,” Nelly said in a statement provided to the Post-Dispatch. “I was happy to show them appreciation for all they do for our families and our kids!”
His video appearance was in partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Alive & Well Communities.
“I wanted to go the extra mile to show them how much they are respected, valued and admired,” said Alive & Well Communities program director Sheila Branch. “My peers thought that I was crazy when I mentioned attempting to contact Nelly. I knew that Nelly would have no problem putting a smile on their faces. He has that kind of impact.”
