St. Louis-based MC Nelly began his hip-hop career in the early '90s with the St. Lunatics, who scored a regional hit in 1996 with the single "Gimme What Ya Want." Though they tried to get a record deal as a group, the Lunatics decided Nelly would have better luck as a solo artist; soon after, he was signed by Universal Records. His 2000 debut album Country Grammar featured contributions from the St. Lunatics as well as from the Teamsters, Lil' Wayne and Cedric The Entertainer. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide