THE COME-UP

Wow. Dude just impressed me for the second time ever.

So Nelly, Murphy Lee and Consequence are in the booth, right? Initially I'm thinkin', "aww shit, this nigga Cons is about to smash these muhfuckas. Murph is decent, but Nelly -- nah."

When it comes to the music, I've never been big on Nelly. All that sing-songy, "thurr," "hurr," "err-wurr" shit gets on my fuckin' nerves to this day. And I hate when the nigga makes his voice go in and out like he's goin' through puberty or somethin'. He already aint talkin' about much, and that shit just compounds the problem and makes it unbearable.

I respect the dude as a man and businessman, but I've never fucked with him musically. Except for "#1". Lyrically, that's still the best Nelly record I've ever heard -- even though he's still on that aforementioned "puberty-voice" shit.

Anyway, I'm expecting Nelly to get in the booth and start singin' to Ashanti or some other wack shit, but dude actually goes in. He's even CURSING and doin' a little gun talk! It's gangsta rap from NELLY!

Needless to say, I was shocked.

Not only does he spit a few clever lines, he actually uses his real voice! Can you believe that shit? And all the niggas are enthusiastic. That's dope.

I like to see a nigga just spit. Fuck all that usin' funny voices shit (a la Lil' Wayne and post-Eminem Show Slim Shady) and all the corny gimmicks -- just get up there and kick that shit. That's Hip-Hop.

And seeing Nelly spittin' hard was surprising enough for me to post this video. Shit, KRS even gave Nelly props recently.

Is he turnin' over a new leaf? Is this a new Nelly? Check it:



Yeah, niggas are in the booth kickin' some written shit -- which I think should be outlawed -- but I'll give 'em a pass this time 'cause it was entertaining.

If Nelly can come back from his hiatus with his spit game turned up a few notches, I just know Eminem's is gon' be outrageous.

At least I hope so.