Nelly and Sexyy Red shocked fans when they revealed they are cousins during a surprise moment on a recent radio interview.
While Sexyy Red was chatting with host Big Boy, Nelly made a surprise appearance, and she wasted no time asking him if they were indeed related. “This is my real blood cousin. People don’t believe we’re cousins,” Sexyy Red declared. Nelly, known for his cool demeanor, responded playfully, “We’re all cousins,” but Sexyy Red didn’t let the comment slide. She recounted how someone at the radio station had doubted their relationship just moments earlier, saying they weren’t actually cousins.
Despite the playful back-and-forth, it’s unclear whether their familial connection is entirely genuine or just a bit of fun between the two St. Louis natives. Either way, their bond as hometown icons is undeniable, especially as they proudly represent their shared roots in the music industry.
Recent Red Carpet Moments & Milestones
The two stars were spotted together on the red carpet at the 2025 iHeartRadio Awards, where Nelly was presented with the Landmark Award by his wife, Ashanti. Meanwhile, Sexyy Red delivered an energetic performance of her hit “Whatchu Kno About Me”, alongside Memphis rapper GloRilla.
A Major Milestone for Nelly
Nelly’s debut album Country Grammar is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025, marking a major milestone for an album that reshaped the hip-hop genre and put St. Louis on the map. Released on June 27, 2000, Country Grammar introduced Nelly’s signature melodic flow, blending Midwest slang with Southern-inspired rhythms.
The album’s success was immense, not only topping charts but also becoming one of the best-selling rap albums of all time, eventually earning diamond certification with over 10 million copies sold. Hits like “Ride wit Me,” “E.I.,” and “Batter Up” helped propel Nelly to superstardom, and the album is credited with broadening hip-hop’s reach beyond the coasts.
Nelly’s unique sing-song delivery and catchy hooks became a blueprint for future artists and cemented his influence in hip-hop, shifting the genre towards a more melodic approach that continues to shape rap today.
