His Country Grammar was just the start.

Cornell "Nelly" Hayes

He is great with his lyrics but probably even better with his businesses, American Hip hop artist Nelly aka Cornell Hayes Jr. is a Genius Money Man. From Country Grammar to International stardom, Nelly has turned his lucky record deal into millions of dollars for his business enterprise. Hayes made his debut in the music industry in 1999, a year that would land him the number 1 spot on the Billboard charts. Selling over 8 million records Nelly would soon have to acclimatize with success. Nelly would soon learn to leave his stamp on not only pop culture music but also on many businesses such as clothing, perfume, shoes, basketball teams and even fitness.


Before the success of Nelly record deal Hayes already had a business eye in fact in 1997 Yomi Martin, Cornell “Nelly” Haynes Jr., and Nick Loftis founded Vokal clothing. The hard work of those three, along with VP Ian Kelly, the company began selling shirts, jerseys and custom clothing from their car trunks and inside of their own homes. They were amazingly retailing themselves without the help of any real outlet. At the time Vokal’s team of Yomi and Nelly were creating pieces that were inspired a lot of times by their home town of St. Louis, Missouri. After much dedication the brand became selling successfully within their county after a small period marketing their clothing throughout the streets of St. Louis. There were thousands of pieces sold overtime.  Since the success of Hayes music growing popularity, Vokal’s business saw the opportunity to provide Nelly with clothing while on tour as well as selling items at his concerts. Vokal essentially grew right along with the career of Nelly. With a regionally diverse compilation of clothing marketers, Vokal’s business group brought a wide ranging background of flavors to the Hip Hop Fashion market as one by 2002. Expanding and exploding the company made over 20 million dollars by 2003.

From the highly successful sophomore album Nellyville which sold easily over 6 million copies worldwide the sixth single “Pimp Juice” would not only boost sales but also open business introductions. Pimp Juice was a commercial success allowing Hayes to place his non-carbonated energy drink on an enormous outlet. It was plain to see that indeed the pimp juice was flowing for the young entrepreneur Nelly. Produced by Fillmore Street Brewery, in St. Louis, Missouri Pimp Juice was the first celebrity energy drink on the market. Using his popular celebrity status Nelly made Pimp Juice the song and also the drink a hit selling over 1 million cans in the first three months.

In the same year of everyone was drinking pimp juice, Nelly jumped started Apple Bottoms. Apple Bottoms a company which Nelly founded and owns, appeals to the curvy trendsetting women of the world. The sales sprung with the company motto, “a women should not try to fit the clothes, the clothes should fit the women,” said by owner Nelly. To really set fire under the Apple Bottom Jeans company a reality TV model search for “the apple bottom girl” was televised by VH1. The show would indeed shine light on Apple Bottoms and superstar Nelly generating plenty of interest and clients. The exposure of the show national success became one of the sole reasons Apple Bottoms has a more diverse customer base.


Cornell Hayes now had become owner of two clothing companies one that catered to women and the other to men but something was still missing from the attire, shoes. The shoes were an idea brought to Nelly after the success of his single “air force ones.” Nike and Nelly agreed to a one year sneaker deal for a line of limited edition Derrty ones.

Owners of the bobcats 04' (Robert Johnson left, Nelly middle, Michael Jordan right,)

Nelly then went from sneakers to the hardwood. Along with owning his own sneaker he closed a deal that made him part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. Following music sensation Jay-z, Nelly was the second to show interest and execute a part-ownership of an NBA team. "Of the many dreams that I have fulfilled in life, being an NBA owner is certainly one of the biggest achievements," Nelly said in a statement released by the Bobcats. Part-ownership of a team became one of the hats Hayes as a businessman was delighted to wear.

2011 5.0 Dub edition Ford Mustang

Ads from the got milk campaign, interviews, hosting shows and more albums allowed a continuous buzz around Nelly kept him relevant for years. Then in 2010 came a great deal of business for not only Nelly but two other brands as well. Ford Motor Company and Nelly recently released the 5.0 Ford mustang dub edition. The 2011 5.0 Ford mustang was presented in the 2010 North American International auto show. The car is a redesigned version of the Ford 5.0 mustang which has been available since 1995. The vehicle came about when Nelly was inside the Ford’s design studio where agreements were made that also tied with the 2009 Ford Flex.


After his film debut in the 2005 remake of “the Longest Yard,” Hayes took his workout procedure to new heights. Having this new improved phasic muscle structure made plenty of eyes widen and ignite. This eyebrow raising body made it easy for him to release a fitness DVD titled Celebrity Sweat. A-list entertainers as well as athletes will show off some of their workout techniques.

 Nelly has an extraordinary business sense that only leaves you to believe he is nothing less than a Genius at making his money count. Nelly has executed business deal after business deal on a high entrepreneur scale its no wonder why this Hip Hop artist is still a force in the business world. From the corners of St. Louis selling his t-shirts, to global super stardom and becoming part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats Nelly is a Genius Money Man to watch.