2000 single by Nelly
"Country Grammar (Hot Shit)" (also known as "Country Grammar (Hot...)") is the debut single of American rapper Nelly. The song was written by Nelly and Jason "Jay E" Epperson, who also produced the track. Released on February 29, 2000, as the lead single from Nelly's 2000 debut album, Country Grammar, the single peaked at number seven in both the United States and the United Kingdom and reached the top 20 in Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Composition
The song's melody and chorus were taken from a song popularly sung by children with clapping games called "Down Down Baby". On the clean version, the word "shit" is backmasked, and most of the explicit words are replaced by radio-friendly words and bleep-related sound effects. For instance, the lyrics "street sweeper baby cocked" in the chorus are replaced with "boom boom baby" due to its reference to a submachine gun.
"Country Grammar" references Beenie Man's 1998 dancehall single "Who Am I (Sim Simma)" with the line, "Keys to my beemer, man, holla at Beenie Man".
Music video
The video features Nelly rapping in front of several key landmarks across St. Louis such as the Gateway Arch and Lafayette Square.[1][2] The video features St. Lunatics and fellow Midwest rapper Chingy.[3]
Credits and personnel
Credits are taken from the Country Grammar liner notes.[11]
Studios
- Recorded at Unique Studios (New York City)
- Mixed at Sound on Sound Studios (New York City)
- Mastered at Powers House of Sound (New York City)
Personnel
- Nelly – lyrics
- Jason "Jay E" Epperson – music, production
- Steve Eigner – recording, engineering
- Kenny Dykstra – recording and engineering assistance
- Rich Travali – mixing
- Jason Standard – mixing assistance
- Herb Powers – mastering