Rapper Nelly was taken into custody early on Wednesday morning at a casino in the St. Louis area on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs. The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that Nelly had four ecstasy pills on him.
Nelly was discovered with the pills in Maryland Heights, a St. Louis suburb that is home to the Hollywood Casino and Hotel. The 49-year-old rapper and actor was taken into custody by police there, according to an online Highway Patrol arrest report. In addition, he was still wanted on an earlier accusation of driving without proof of insurance. He was taken into custody at 4:45 a.m., as per the patrol report.
Nelly’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment right away, but one said that his lawyer would make a statement regarding the arrest on Wednesday night. The Maryland Heights police did not immediately return a call for comment.
Nelly was born Cornell Haynes II and raised in the St. Louis region.
Three-time Grammy Award winner Nelly is well-known for her hits, including “Just A Dream” and “Hot in Herre.” He has nine Billboard Music Awards and four No. 1 hits. He just finished up a run of shows as Janet Jackson’s special guest on her tour.
In 2002, he was nominated for both Best Rap Album and Album of the Year for his album “Nellyville,” and he won Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Male Solo Rap Performance. Along with that, he was awarded a Grammy the following year for “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” which was Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
In addition to his work as an artist, Nelly has acted in several TV shows and movies. Among these are the sports drama “The Longest Yard” and a reality series on BET that centers on his family. The performer and singer Ashanti announced their engagement in April, and the two are now expecting a child.
2015 saw Nelly’s first arrest on drug-related charges; in 2017, he was again detained after a woman claimed he had molested her on his tour bus.
Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas, and Ballentine from Columbia, Missouri. In Los Angeles, Kaitlyn Huamani also made a contribution.
