1974–2000: Early life and start of career Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. was born on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas, the only son of Cornell Haynes and Rhonda Mack. His father served in the Air Force for much of his childhood and when he was seven, his parents divorced. As a teenager, Haynes moved with his mother from St. Louis, Missouri, to University City, a St. Louis County suburb. While in high school, Nelly formed the St. Lunatics with his friends Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, Slo Down, and his half brother City Spud. The group enjoyed moderate local popularity with their single "Gimme What Ya Got" in 1996.
1974–2000 early life and start of career cornell iral haynes jr was born on november 2 1974 in austin texas the only son of cornell haynes and rhonda mack his father served in the air force for much of his childhood and when he was seven his parents divorced as a teenager haynes moved with his mother from st louis missouri to university city a st louis county suburb while in high school nelly formed the st lunatics with his friends ali murphy lee kyjuan slo down and his half brother city spud the group enjoyed moderate local popularity with their single "gimme what ya got" in 1996