Really, what hasn't Nelly done? Born Cornell Haynes, Jr. in Austin, Texas, Nelly grew up in St. Louis, where he got his start with the rap group, St. Lunatics, in 1993. Call him a rapper, call him an entrepreneur, call him an actor, call him a CEO, or just simply call him a success; he's ranked as the 3rd Top Overall Artist for the decade (2000-2009). His hip-hop sound sometimes veers further towards R&B, while other time he sports more of a pop style. Regardless, Nelly's a hit.