Nelly

Lyrics

[Intro]
Uh.. uh uh uh uh
Uh.. wait a minute now
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Uh, uh..
Can you hear me out there?
Lunatics.. is y'all ready?
Let me hear ya
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[Verse 1]
I'm a sucker for corn rows and manicured toes (hey)
Fendi capri pants and Parasuco's (alright)
The rise of Diddy and City, with one or two throws
I'm draftin' 'em outta high school straight into the pros
Who knows? I know and I love it when you make your knees
Touch your elbows and break it down low to the Flo'
And there you go now throw it on me slow
And everytime I bust a rhyme, baby, "Gimme Some Mo'"
You say you like that, when I hit it from behind and I'll be
Right back, yeah that's my very next line, I use it
Time after time, when I'm speakin' my mind
It's no matter if I'm shootin' game to a pigeon or dime
I ask her, "Who that is, talkin' that shit about the 'tics?"
Somebody probably jealous 'cause they bitch got hit
But ain't nobody else droppin' shit like this
Should we apologize? Nah fuck 'em, just leave 'em pissed, hey
[Chorus]
Andele andele, mami, E.I. E.I
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh what's poppin' tonight?
Andele andele, mami, E.I. E.I
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, if the head right, Nelly there ery'night

[Verse 2]
We can gamble to the break of dawn, nigga, money long, nigga
Pass up the skirt to talk to the thong, nigga
Some say I'm wrong, but fuck it I'm grown, nigga
If you ain't 'bout money then best be gone, nigga
I'm flashy (uh), double takes when you walk past me
Nasty, don't be scared boo, go 'head and ask me
I drive fastly, call me Jeff Gord-on in the Black SS with the naviga-tion
See the joint blaz-on, somethin' smells amaz-on
I got a chick rollin' up, half black and Asi-an
Another one page-in, tellin' me to come home
Her husband on vacation and left her home alone
I used the V-12, powers; weight loss, powers
From Phat Farm to Iceberg Slim in one shower
Get a room in Trump Towers just to hit for 3 hours
Kicked the bitch up out the room 'cause she used the word ours, hey

[Chorus]
Andele andele, mami, E.I. E.I
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh what's poppin' tonight?
Andele andele, mami, E.I. E.I
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, if the head right, Nelly there ery'night
[Verse 3]
Ayo, I smash-mouth a whole ounce, of that sticky
Wash my hands under a gold spout, when feelin' icky. Let
Go off in a ho's mouth, I ain't picky
Start frontin' when the shows out, whatchu mean?!
Twenty inches when they roll ouuuuuuut, come and get me
Big faces when they fold ouuuuuuut, is you wit me?
Don't make me pull that fo'-fo' ouuuuuuut
I keep it closer when the dough ouuuuuuut, then I
Slide up in the Escalade, me and E gettin' solid like the Ice Capades And me and Heezy, Frosty, Roger the Rabbit and Bugsy
You understand me, wrapped wrists like mummies
If you compare me to your local grocery, then
You'll see I got more karats than Aldi
More bread than aisle G, you can bag and scan me
Sure like Al B., meet the 'tics in Maui, hey

[Chorus]
Andele andele, mami, E.I. E.I
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh what's poppin' tonight?
Andele andele, mami, E.I. E.I
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, if the head right, Nelly there ery'night

[Bridge]
St. Louis y'all, uh, uh
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Uh, can you feel that?
Lunatics y'all, uh, uh
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Uh, uh, Uncle Phil up above y'all, uh, uh
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Yell it universal y'all, uh, uh
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Uh, uh, chillin' chillin' chillin' with the crew y'all
[Chorus]
Andele andele, mami, E.I. E.I
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh what's poppin' tonight?
Andele andele, mami, E.I. E.I
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, if the head right, Nelly there ery'night

In the year 2000, St. Louis rapper Nelly released the album Country Grammar, which skyrocketed him into mainstream success. One of the tracks on the album, E.I., caused quite the stir due to its explicit title and lyrics. Despite this, the song climbed the charts and became a staple in Nelly's discography.

About E.I.

As previously mentioned, E.I. is a track from Nelly's debut album, Country Grammar. The term "E.I." caused some confusion upon its release, as it was widely believed to stand for "Eat it", a crude and sexual phrase. Nelly himself later clarified that the term was actually St. Louis slang for "Yes! Bring it on!".

Despite the controversy surrounding the title, E.I. quickly became a fan favorite due to its catchy beats and party-ready lyrics. The track features Nelly's signature style of mixing rap with a catchy chorus that's easy for listeners to sing along to - "I'm goin' down, down, baby, yo' street in a Range Rover. Street sweeper, baby, cocked ready to let it go. Shimmy, shimmy cocoa what? Listen to it pound. Light it up and take a puff, pass it to me now."

The song's music video features Nelly and his crew partying on a farm, complete with bikinis, convertibles, and tractors. The video's lighthearted and carefree atmosphere perfectly complements the song's energetic beats and playful lyrics.

Throughout the track, Nelly's verses showcase his skills as a rapper, with clever wordplay and witty rhymes. The song's chorus is sung by an unknown female vocalist, whose smooth vocals contrast nicely with Nelly's rougher delivery.

Despite its sexually suggestive title, E.I. remains a party anthem to this day, with its upbeat tempo and memorable chorus ensuring it's played at clubs and parties across the world. Nelly himself has spoken about the song's impact, saying "To see the impact that it still has on people to this day, it's just a blessing."

The Legacy of E.I.

E.I. remains a staple in Nelly's discography and has stood the test of time to become a classic in the world of hip hop. The song's catchy chorus and infectious beats have ensured it remains a popular track for partygoers and clubbers alike. It also helped establish Nelly as a successful rapper, paving the way for him to release numerous hit albums and singles in the years that followed.

Beyond its commercial success, E.I. has also had a significant cultural impact. The song's lyrics and message resonate with many young people, and its St. Louis slang has helped popularize local language and dialects in hip hop circles. The song continues to inspire new generations of rappers and music lovers alike.

Ultimately, E.I. is a testament to Nelly's creativity and skill as a rapper. Its catchy beats, memorable chorus, and witty lyrics have ensured its place as a classic in the world of hip hop, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.

• Release Date: June 27, 2000
• Artist: Nelly