December 08, 2004 @ 4:50 pm

Nelly - Sweat/ Suit (Universal)

Rondell Conway

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After the enormous success of his party banger “Hot in Herre” and the made-for-radio “Dilemma,” featuring Kelly Rowland, Nelly clearly has carved a dual niche for himself.

After the enormous success of his party banger “Hot in Herre” and the made-for-radio “Dilemma,” featuring Kelly Rowland, Nelly clearly has carved a dual niche for himself. Now, that twin allure has spawned the simultaneous release of Sweat and Suit, two separate albums intended to rock the clubs and the broadcast play lists, respectively. Showing off his wilder side on Sweat, Nelly offers explicit yet infectious music like the Neptunes–produced lead single “Flap Your Wings” and the Jazze Pha–helmed “Na-NaNa-Na.” A host of guest appearances (Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Mobb Deep, and Remy Ma) aids Nelly in his cause. Unfortunately, Sweat is affected by some forced collaborations and shallow subject matter. The blaxploitation era–groove of “Tilt Ya Head Back,” featuring Christina Aguilera, seems out of place, while “Heart of a Champion”—which samples the famed “NBA on NBC” theme song—suffers from Nelly’s lame sports references. On Suit, Nelly takes a more pensive approach, even as he attempts to appease radio. “Die for You” offers an endearing ode to his children in the vein of Country Grammar’s “Luven Me,” and he ponders the catch-22 quality of fame on the soulful “Nobody Knows,” alongside Anthony Hamilton. Unlike post-50-beef Ja Rule, Nelly shows that a rapper can actually hold a note without losing credibility. On “N Dey Say,” his singsongy hook nicely complements a sample of Spandau Ballet’s classic “True.” The R&B-ish “My Place,” featuring Jaheim, also showcases Nelly effectively as a singing MC. There are plenty of surprises on Suit: Nelly and Mase trade verses between the smooth vocals of newcomer Avery Storm on the calypso-tinged “In My Life,” and country superstar Tim McGraw joins in on the funky bluegrass-like ballad “Over & Over.” But the album still has its flaws: The overcooked, overproduced “Paradise” and the pimped-out “Woodgrain and Leather Wit a Hole” don’t fit. Whether you like him for his raucous party cuts or his playboy pop melodies, Nelly is sure to be heard. So if you don’t feel his first offering, it’s no sweat—suit yourself.

Article tags: Nelly, Sweat, Suit, Universal 

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