Nellyville
by Nelly
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Spin
    60
    Nelly's caught between a rock and a hardass place--he's too edgy to comfortably collaborate with 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake but too corny to dig into the Neptunes' sleazily sinister beats on lead single "Hot In Herre." [Aug 2002, p.109]
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  2. AllMusic
    60
    In other words, he didn't take any unnecessary risks -- after all, the formula proved successful the first time around -- and that's partly why Nellyville isn't as exciting as it perhaps could be.
  3. Launch.com
    60
    Like P. Diddy in his prime or even Jay-Z, Nelly simply knows what the people want, and delivers--which is never as easy as the haters suggest.
  5. Blender
    60
    Nellyville will be the year's only record with a bigger-than-life number with Justin Timberlake, a capable ballad with Destiny's Child's Kelly Rowland, an acute dis of preachy rap veteran KRS-One, and an ode to the hip-hop footwear of choice. [#8, p.120]
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  6. Rolling Stone
    60
    Outside of "Pimp Juice," the album sounds weighed down by the commercial pressures of going multiplatinum the last time out. After five tracks, one cannot help but wonder what might have been had Nelly not gotten so pop so quickly.
  7. Dot Music
    40
    It's a cruel world in which a Nelly sells more records than the Blastmaster KRS but what 'Nellyville' makes abundantly clear is that its creator won't be leaving a fraction of his foe's proud mark on hip-hop once the dust settles on the frantic promotion of this record.
  8. Playlouder
    40
    The problem is, whilst the debut had more hooks than a fishing rod sandwich, this just doo-wop-yawn, the sort of nursery rhymes kids never remember.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2002
31
#31 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 179 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 157 out of 179
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 179
  3. Negative: 19 out of 179
  1. ChunkDump
    Dec 24, 2020
    9
    Nellys Sophomore album was a hit full of hits. i think i have the original CD laying in storage somewhere in mint condition. favorite track isNellys Sophomore album was a hit full of hits. i think i have the original CD laying in storage somewhere in mint condition. favorite track is between "Hot in herre" and "air force ones" gave it that early 2000s sound that most people recognize now days.… Full Review »
  2. KingMachine
    Mar 2, 2006
    9
    It's better than I first thought.
  3. CarlosP
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    nelly is the best rapper in the history of hip hop
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