Brass Knuckles (album)

Production was set to come from Bryan-Michael Cox, Neff-U and Pharrell, among others.Scott Bowles, Steve Jones and Pete Johnson (September 6, 2007). [https://www.usatoday.com/life/2007-09-06-coming-attractions_N.htm/ Coming attractions: Nelly's ready to crack his 'Knuckles']. USA Today. Accessed September 9, 2007.Shaheem Reid (August 22, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070827030704/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1567667/20070822/nelly.jhtml T.I., Akon, Snoop, Pimp C Get Behind Nelly's Brass Knuckles]. MTV. Accessed August 22, 2007.Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Tim Kash and Jayson Rodriguez (May 1, 2007). [http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/050107/ Mixtape Monday: 50 Cent Talks Batman, Both New LPs; Rick Ross Rubs Elbows With Jay, Jeezy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704214905/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/050107/ |date=July 4, 2007 }} MTV. Accessed August 22, 2007.Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes and Brennan Williams (October 8, 2007). [http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/100807/ The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes from the Underground] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215131604/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/100807/ |date=February 15, 2008 }}. MTV. Accessed October 10, 2007.Jayson Rodriguez, with additional reporting by Sway J. Calloway (October 16, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071018014500/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572087/20071016/nelly.jhtml Nelly Ready to Battle Don Imus, Other Foes with Hard-Hitting New LP]. MTV. Accessed October 16, 2007.[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20071004021431/http://www.kiisfm.com/cc-common/losangeles/podcast/jojo.html Nelly in Studio with JoJo]. KISS-FM (August 14, 2007). Accessed December 13, 2007.DADDYMACKOFNYC (February 12, 2008). {{YouTube|plZ0c9g4sAU|Chuck D Interview Part 4 of 4}}. Accessed February 13, 2008.[http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1078688279/bclid1077096422/bctid1078717411 Nelly & Ashanti Interview – Rap-Up TV]. Rap-Up TV. Accessed August 25, 2007. Nelly mentioned in an interview that producer Polow da Don produced tracks for the album.{{YouTube|3h4XmzVEM2w|Nelly Exclusive Interview Part 1}} On March 30, Nelly told HipHopDX.com that "the album would feature a handful of new producers."(March 30, 2008). [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.6654/title.nelly-preps-new-album Nelly Preps New Album] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016102854/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.6654/title.nelly-preps-new-album |date=2014-10-16 }}. Accessed April 20, 2008. Nelly was set to collaborate with Springsteen but he stated he was hopeful to collaborate with him on a future album, or even a repackage of Brass Knuckles.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} Dupri gave a look into the two collaborations, one being Nelly, Carey and Jackson all appearing on the same track, in which he stated Nelly has laid the following blueprint.

Nelly's got a crazy collaboration he's trying to put together, which is him, Janet and Mariah Carey all on one song ... That's what he wants. If he could convince them to do it, it would be crazy. [He] wants [Janet] to rap a 16-bar verse, he wants [Mariah] to sing the hook and he's gonna do two verses. [He] has it all planned out. You ask him about it! This is what he wants; he's 100-percent deadlocked into it.

Jermaine Dupri also stated possibilities of hopeful collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson.Anthony Springer, Jr. (August 23, 2007). [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5617/title.nelly-is-back Nelly Is Back!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616043945/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5617/title.nelly-is-back |date=2012-06-16 }}. HipHopDX. Accessed August 23, 2007. Nelly went on to speak about the possibility of the Springsteen collaboration and that two of his own tracks will appear on the album.

I think he's doing a record with Bruce Springsteen. You know he always has to do one of those! My two records [that J.D. has produced for Nelly so far], he's gonna have some people on them—I won't tell it yet. I don't want to jinx the record.

The first single was believed to be "Cut It Out" which features rappers Pimp C and Sean P of YoungBloodZ, but was later confirmed to be "Wadsyaname", which was released digitally on August 21, 2007. However, because of the pushed release dates from October 16, 2007 and on, the first official single was changed to "Party People", which features Fergie. It was released on March 18, 2008 and peaked at number forty on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number fourteen on the UK Singles Chart. The album's second single "Body on Me", which features Akon and Ashanti, was released on June 9, 2008. It peaked at number forty-two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles Chart. Just two days later, "Stepped on My J'z", which features Ciara and Jermaine Dupri was released on June 11, 2008. It peaked at number ninety on the US Billboard Hot 100. After several single releases amid delays, accompanied by noticeable anticipation, the full Brass Knuckles album was released in September of 2008.

{{Music ratings

| MC = 61/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/brass-knuckles/nelly|title=Reviews for Brass Knuckles by Nelly|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=28 March 2025}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last=Kellman |first=Andy |url=http://allmusic.com/album/brass-knuckles-r1210301 |title=Brass Knuckles - Nelly |website=AllMusic |access-date=2011-12-04}}

| rev2 = HipHopDX

| rev2score = 3/5{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.1008/title.nelly-brass-knuckles|title=Nelly - Brass Knuckles|website=HipHopDX|last=Cooper|first=Roman|date=17 September 2008|access-date=28 March 2025}}

| rev3 = IGN

| rev3score = 7.5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/18/nelly-brass-knuckles|title=Nelly - Brass Knuckles|website=IGN|last=D.|first=Spence|date=18 September 2008|access-date=28 March 2025}}

| rev4 = musicOMH

| rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120022046/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/nelly-2_0908.htm|title=Nelly - Brass Knuckles (Island)|website=musicOMH|last=Ahmad|first=Azeem|date=15 September 2008|access-date=28 March 2025}}

| rev5 = NOW

| rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/nelly-4/|title=NELLY|website=NOW|date=24 September 2008|access-date=28 March 2025}}

| rev6 = PopMatters

| rev6score = 5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/65155-nelly-brass-knuckles-2496107407.html|title=Nelly: Brass Knuckles|website=PopMatters|last=Gaerig|first=Chris|date=12 September 2008|access-date=28 March 2025}}

| rev7 = RapReviews

| rev7score = 8/10

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/22723964/review/22787269/brass_knuckles|title=Brass Knuckles : Nelly : Review|last=Hoard|first=Christian|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=2008-09-18|access-date=2012-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906201837/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/22723964/review/22787269/brass_knuckles|archive-date=2008-09-06|url-status=dead}}

| rev9 = Slant Magazine

| rev9score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/nelly-brass-knuckles/|title=Review: Nelly, Brass Knuckles|website=Slant Magazine|last=McBee|first=Wilson|date=19 September 2008|access-date=28 March 2025}}

| rev10 = URB

| rev10score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024044132/http://www.urb.com/reviews/cd/feature.php?ReviewId=853|title=Nelly :: Brass Knuckles|website=URB|last=Meredith|first=Ben|date=22 October 2008|access-date=28 March 2025}}

}}

Reviews for the album were generally mixed. Pharoh Martin of Vibe stated that "Brass Knuckles is standard Nelly fare."Pharoh Martin (September 17, 2008).{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2008/09/nelly_brass_knuckles/ |title=Nelly: "Brass Knuckles" |access-date=2008-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920021143/http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2008/09/nelly_brass_knuckles/ |archive-date=2008-09-20 }} Vibe. Accessed September 24, 2008 RapReviews wrote that "underneath the materialistic veneer Nelly's got a good delivery, sharp lyrics and impeccable breath control."RR. {{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2008_09_brassknuckles.html|title=Nelly's "Brass Knuckles"|work=RapReviews|access-date=2010-08-20}}

Brass Knuckles debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, selling 83,717 copies in its first week in the United States. Only 8-weeks later, the album was left on the Billboard 200 chart. On March 21, 2009, the album re-appeared at number 152. On December 12, 2008, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping over 500,000 copies in the United States.[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Brass%20Knuckles&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25]{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} As of September 2010, the album has sold over 223,000 copies in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956516/nelly-regains-cool-with-taylor-swifts-help|title=Nelly Regains Cool with Taylor Swift's Help|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2010-11-12}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Brass Knuckles track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = U Ain't Him

| note1 = featuring Rick Ross

| writer1 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., William Roberts II, Adam Cherrington

| extra1 = Wyshmaster

| length1 = 3:15

| title2 = Hold Up

| note2 = featuring T.I. and LL Cool J

| writer2 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Rufus Morgan, Tadd Mingo, Clifford Harris, Jr., Todd Smith

| extra2 = Free Agentz

| length2 = 3:48

| title3 = LA

| note3 = featuring Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg

| writer3 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Calvin Broadus, Jr., Nathaniel Hale, Christopher Whitacre, Justin Henderson

| extra3 = Tha Bizness

| length3 = 4:23

| title4 = Long Night

| note4 = featuring Usher

| writer4 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Ryon Lovette, Usher Raymond IV, James Lackey

| extra4 = James "JLack" Lackey

| length4 = 3:15

| title5 = Lie

| note5 = featuring St. Lunatics

| writer5 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Jamal Jones, Brian Kennedy, Ali Jones, Robert Cleveland, Torhi Harper,

| extra5 = Polow da Don

| length5 = 4:20

| title6 = Party People

| note6 = featuring Fergie

| writer6 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Jamal Jones, Garrett Hamler, Stacy Ferguson

| extra6 = Polow da Don, Garrett

| length6 = 3:58

| title7 = Self-Esteem

| note7 = featuring Chuck D

| writer7 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Robert Mandell, Carlton Ridenhour

| extra7 = G Koop

| length7 = 3:37

| title8 = Body on Me

| note8 = featuring Akon and Ashanti

| writer8 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Aliaune Thiam, Giorgio Tuinfort, Ashanti Douglas

| extra8 = Akon, Giorgio Tuinfort

| length8 = 3:29

| title9 = Stepped on My J'z

| note9 = featuring Ciara and Jermaine Dupri

| writer9 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Jermaine Dupri, James Phillips

| extra9 = Jermaine Dupri

| length9 = 5:03

| title10 = Let It Go Lil' Mama

| note10 = featuring Pharrell

| writer10 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Pharrell Williams

| extra10 = The Neptunes

| length10 = 4:22

| title11 = One and Only

| writer11 = Cornell Haynes Jr., Jamal Jones, Darnell Dalton, Lamar Taylor

| extra11 = Polow da Don, Andrew "Papa Justifi" Wansel

| length11 = 4:20

| title12 = Chill

| note12 = featuring St. Lunatics

| writer12 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Adam Cherrington, Ali Jones, Robert Cleveland , Tohri Harper, Lavell Webb

| extra12 = Wyshmaster

| length12 = 5:42

| title13 = Who Fucks wit Me

| note13 = featuring Avery Storm

| writer13 = Cornell Haynes Jr., Christopher Whitacre, Justin Henderson

| extra13 = Tha Bizness

| length13 = 4:08

| title14 = Ucud Gedit

| note14 = featuring Gucci Mane and R. Kelly

| writer14 = Cornell Haynes, Jr., Jamal Jones, Robert Kelly, Radric Davis

| extra14 = Polow da Don

| length14 = 4:28

| total_length = 58:15

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Walmart bonus tracks{{Cite web |url=http://www.walmart.com/ip/10340727 |title=Brass Knuckles (Edited) (With 2 Exclusive Tracks) - Walmart.com |access-date=2011-09-02 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122236/http://www.walmart.com/ip/10340727 |url-status=dead }}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 65:09

| title15 = Bay

| writer15 = Haynes, Earl Stevens, Jr.

| extra15 = Droop-E

| length15 = 3:42

| title16 = Problems

| writer16 = Haynes, Jones

| extra16 = Polow da Don

| length16 = 3:11

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese bonus tracks{{cite web|url=http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nelly-Brass-Knuckles-JAPAN-CD-2Bonus-Mint-W-OBI-36-1-/260709770059|title=Nelly Brass Knuckles JAPAN CD 2Bonus Mint W OBI 36 1 - eBay|access-date=2011-09-02|archive-date=2012-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025211439/http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nelly-Brass-Knuckles-JAPAN-CD-2Bonus-Mint-W-OBI-36-1-/260709770059|url-status=dead}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 66:05

| title17 = Wadsyaname

| writer17 = Haynes

| extra17 = Tha Bizness

| length17 = 4:07

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = iTunes bonus tracks{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/brass-knuckles/290537274|title=Brass Knuckles by Nelly on Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=January 2008 }}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 64:44

| title18 = Warrior

| writer18 = Haynes, Feemster

| extra18 = Theron "Neff-U" Feemster

| length18 = 2:43

| title19 = Let's Go

| writer19 = Haynes, Cherrington

| extra19 = Wyshmaster

| length19 = 3:44

}}

Sample credits

• "Stepped on My J'z" Contains a sample of "Tipsy" performed by J-Kwon.

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Brass Knuckles}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Nelly|title=Brass Knuckles|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2015|refname="RIAA"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Nelly}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brass Knuckles}}

Category:2008 albums

Category:Nelly albums

Category:Albums produced by Akon

Category:Albums produced by Jermaine Dupri

Category:Albums produced by Polow da Don

Category:Albums produced by the Neptunes

Category:Albums produced by Droop-E

Category:Albums produced by Theron Feemster

Category:Albums produced by Giorgio Tuinfort

Category:Albums produced by Wyshmaster