Nelly Talks New CW Reality Show, Upcoming Album

With more than 30 million album and single sales to his name, hip-hop star Nelly knows success.

Now he’s ready to share some of his secrets with a new generation of artists on the CW reality show The Next.

On The Next, Nelly, along with Joe Jonas, Gloria Estefan and John Rich, will mentor up-and-coming musicians who have loyal followings in their hometowns but haven’t quite made it big—yet. The stars will spend 72 hours working, eating, and getting to know mom and dad with their mentees as they help them hone their skills.

Nelly’s promotional tour for the show, which debuts Aug. 16, took him just outside Oak Park Monday when he stopped by the Cricket store at Brickyard Mall.

Nelly chatted with Patch about superstar collaborations, musical inspiration and getting close—but not too close—to reality show contestants.

Patch: Have you filmed the Chicago segments of The Next yet? What was the talent like here?

Nelly: We’re still filming as we speak. Chicago has a good musical history. It’s still expanding and coming up in the game with new artists. I expected exactly what I got—great talent coming out of here.

Patch: What we can expect from the Chicago contestants?

Nelly: The talent is more diverse from one extreme to the next, but that’s Chicago. It’s a very diverse city and it will definitely show come show time.

Patch: What was it like spending 72 hours more or less living with the contestants?

Nelly: We move in on their lives. You’re not physically living with them. That would be a little rough spending the night. They’d probably have people camping outside their house.

We’re basically moving in on their lives. If they have to go to work, you have to go to work. If they have to go to Mom’s house for dinner, you’re going to Mom’s house for dinner. For that 72 hours, from the time that you meet them until the time they go on stage for their performance, you’re basically with them.

Patch: Did it ever get uncomfortable spending that much time with a virtual stranger?

Nelly: Not in this situation. I did get a chance to meet some very cool, very great parents. I definitely got a chance to see the contestant I’m mentoring, the kind of community work that he does outside his job, and I think that’s commendable. Without giving away too much, it’s a very interesting experience, one that I’m glad I did.

Patch: Who were some of the mentors who helped you along the way?

Nelly: You always look at the strength of your mother. I was raised by a single mother. Being from St. Louis, I’m a huge baseball fan. I don’t want to say that up here around here. (Laughs.) Forgive me, Cubs fans. (St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Short Stop) Ozzie Smith was a great inspiration for me. Out of the musical influences, I obviously looked at, like, LL Cool J, Biggie Smalls, Tupac. You know the obvious, Michael Jackson, Prince. But you try to gain your own respect.

Patch: Your records are always packed with collaborations. Who are some of the guest stars fans can look forward to on your upcoming album, M.O.?

Nelly: One that I’m not allowed to give away just yet—we’re still waiting on clearance and everything—but if we get this one pulled off I’m definitely excited about it. Obviously my first single just dropped with Chris Brown called “Marry Go Round.” I have another song I did with Trey Songz. I’m just finishing up a bunch of the album right now, so as soon as we get it all tucked away, I’ll definitely be back to talk to you.

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