'Nelly Live from LA': When, where and how to watch the 20th anniversary celebrations of 'Country Grammar'
Multiple Grammy Award-winning hip hop icon Nelly will be performing his debut album 'Country Grammar' front to back - for the first time ever - in celebration of the record’s 20th anniversary, exclusively on virtual reality platform MelodyVR. Here's how to watch the landmark event.
When
The 'Nelly Live from LA' show, which includes the first-ever live performance of 'Country Grammar' in its entirety, will be available for free on July 25th at 6 pm PST / 9 pm EST or July 26 at 2 am BST via the MelodyVR app on smartphones and VR headsets.
What to expect
Nelly, born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. in Austin, Texas, was a young rapper that showed early promise, when he formed The St. Lunatics in 1993 with his childhood friends, MCs “Ali” Jones, Torhi “Murphy Lee” Harper, Lavell “City Spud” Webb, and Robert “Kyjuan” Cleveland. After Jay E workshopped the music with Nelly, they shopped for labels in New York and the rapper was signed to Universal Records in 1999. The pair drew deeply from the sounds that surrounded them in the Midwest — urban, country, hip-hop — and fused them into a fresh, infectious, unforgettably hooky whole. Nelly would go on to debut solo in 2000 while under Universal with 'Country Grammar', which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, later peaking at number one, and included the hit singles 'Hot in Herre' and 'Dilemma' (featuring Kelly Rowland). In 2016, the RIAA certified the album Diamond, selling more than 10 million copies to date, a feat that placed Nelly among rock superstars like Led Zeppelin, the Doors, and Bruce Springsteen. 'Country Grammar' was also nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2000 Grammy Awards (along with its title track for Best Rap Solo Performance) and Nelly was crowned Best New Artist at the 2001 BET Awards.
Last month marked the 20th Anniversary of the album's release, and to celebrate, the hip hop icon is taking fans back to the summer of 2000 with a special live performance of the album in its entirety, for the first time ever. Not just that, the landmark event will be free to view via the MelodyVR app on smartphones and VR headsets. Through MelodyVR’s cutting-edge camera and production technology, fans will be transported to its state-of-the-art Los Angeles studio space to experience the exclusive 360° performance. Viewers can choose their viewing position and virtually stand next to Nelly as he plays hits like 'Country Grammar (Hot Sh*t)' and 'Ride Wit Me' while indulging the audience with behind-the-scenes commentary. And if that isn't enough, the 20th-anniversary digital deluxe edition of 'Country Grammar', with bonus tracks, will be released on July 24.
Speaking about the occasion Nelly shared, "Anytime you get a chance to celebrate 20 years, you want to do something that you have never done before — so we are going to rock the Country Grammar album top to bottom. Performing in the MelodyVR studio is epic and we have put together this show that people will hopefully want to replay 20 years from now."
MelodyVR's Immersive Virtual Concert Experience
MelodyVR’s Live from LA series has been developed to provide music lovers with incredible immersive sets from their favorite artists, while maintaining the highest levels of safety for both performers and crew. Artists featured so far include John Legend, Cypress Hill, Katelyn Tarver, JoJo and Zella Day with upcoming shows from many more artists yet to be announced. MelodyVR also just released a never-before-broadcasted performance from another seminal act, N.E.R.D., from their set at Life Is Beautiful in 2018. Fans can tune in now to watch on-demand via the MelodyVR app. Performances across genres currently available on the app include Post Malone, Lewis Capaldi, Blake Shelton, Wiz Khalifa, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, Fall Out Boy, Julia Michaels, KISS and The Chainsmokers, among others.
Nelly’s Live from LA Setlist
Intro
St. Louie
Greed Hate Envy
Country Grammar (Hot Sh*t)
Steal The Show
Interlude
Ride Wit Me
E.I.
Thicky Thick Girl
For My
Utha Side
Tho Dem Wraps
Wrap Sumden
Batter Up
Never Let ‘Em C U Sweat
Luven Me
Outro
Trailer
Glimpses of the upcoming show can be seen in exclusive footage of Nelly recording at MelodyVR’s cutting edge studio space in Los Angeles. The singer discusses why the celebration is important to him as viewers are offered a quick look at the epic stages the rapper has prepared to mark the occasion. Check it out below.
Where to watch
Nelly's appearance on MelodyVR’s acclaimed Live from LA series will be available for free via the MelodyVR app on smartphones and VR headsets. The show will also be available on-demand on the app immediately following the live broadcast. VR Headsets are not required to take part in this immersive concert experience. Visit www.melodyvr.com or follow @melodyvirtual for more information.