Nelly Sued by Former St. Lunatics Bandmates Over Claims He Denied Them Songwriting Credits on His 2000 Debut Album

Mar. 15, 2025

Nelly (center) and the St. Lunatics.Photo:Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage

Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage

An attorney for Nelly did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Nelly performing in 2023.FOX

FOX

Nelly (né Cornell Haynes) and Ali (né Ali Jones), Murphy Lee (né Torhi Harper), Kyjuan (né Robert Kyjuan Cleveland) and Webb were childhood friends who grew up together in St. Louis, and in 1993, formed the hip-hop group St. Lunatics.

His album was set to be released first, so the plaintiffs started writing lyrics to what would become the eight songs in question, according to the complaint: “Steal the Show,” “Thicky Thick Girl,” “Country Grammar,” “Wrap Something/Sumden,” “Batter Up,” “Iz U,” “Go” and “Gimme What You Got.”

The complaint claims that Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan and Webb wrote all of the songs’ lyrics, while Nelly provided “some lyrical arrangement and writing.” They say Nelly never disputed the fact that they wrote and arranged the lyrics, and they claim to have video of their recording sessions, during which Nelly “freely admits” that they are the writers of the songs onCountry Grammar.

Nelly (center) and the St. Lunatics in 2001.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Country Grammarcame out in 2000, and went on to sell more than 10 million copies. The plaintiffs’ only studio album,Free City, came out in 2001, and sold more than 1 million copies. “Steal the Show,” “Thicky Thick Girl, “Country Grammar,” “Wrap Something/Sumden” and “Batter Up” are all featured onCountry Grammar, while “Iz U” is on Nelly’s 2003 albumDa Derrty Versions: The Reinvention, and “Go” appears on his 2010 album5.0.

In 2021, they hired an attorney, who sent a letter to Nelly asking him to make good on his promise to give them credit; per the complaint, he denied their claims on authorship or joint authorship over the songs, and said the statute of limitations had expired.

“As a result of [Nelly’s] conduct, Plaintiffs have been completely deprived, and continue to be deprived, of any income, monies, royalties or other form of remuneration from the distribution, use, commercialization, sale, public performance or other exploitation of the [songs] via exploitation of [Country Grammar].

Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan and Webb are seeking at least $50 million, as well as attorneys’ fees.

source: people.com