Drop Em: Nelly To Pose In Diddy's Underwear

Rap superstar Nelly will likely be the first hip-hop star to get paid for letting their underwear show.

The St. Louis-bred artist, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr., will be the new spokesmodel for Sean Jean Underwear, the intimates line by fellow hip-hop star Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Nelly is Sean Jean's first underwear model, though the Sean Jean clothing line has featured spokesmodels like NBA star Dwayne Wade, actress Penelope Cruz, and rappers Snoop Dogg and Nas.

"To me, Nelly is the quintessential definition of the Sean John man," Diddy said in a statement on Monday. "He has the attitude, the swagger and most of all, the physique that our customers can both aspire and relate to. And let's be honest, all of the ladies out there are going to be thanking us for this campaign. The images are so strong; they speak for themselves."

The print campaign for Sean Jean Underwear was shot in Los Angeles by photographer Randee St. Nicholas and features Nelly in various loungewear inside and outside a modern California home.

"I have been a big fan of Diddy and the Sean John clothing line for years," said Nelly. "So, when they asked me to work with them, it was a real honor. I hope my fans will enjoy this campaign as much as I did shooting it."

The Sean John company has annual retail sales in the of more than $525 million and is sold in specialty and department stores, including Macy's.

This is not Nelly's first endorsement deal.

The 33-year-old Grammy winner was the first rap star to appear in the Got Milk? campaign. He's also had an endorsement deal with Reebok.

In other Nelly news, the 'Hot in Here' rapper is readying the release of his fourth CD, 'Brass Knuckles.'

In addition to collaborating with singer Fergie on the track, 'Party People,' the CD also features guest appearances by Usher, TI, Akon, Public Enemy's Chuck D, LL Cool J and his girlfriend Ashanti.

Speaking of Ashanti, a source close to the pair tell me that those rumors coming from the U.K. that Nelly is dating blue-eyed soul singer Joss Stone are "completely bogus."

Nelly and Ashanti are still going strong and despite not actually talking publicly about their courtship – sans for Ashanti's introduction of him at this year's BET Awards – the couple have been together since 2004.

In fact, the couple was just today in London about three weeks ago and was spotted having drinks at the Sanderson Hotel in London with Usher.

Follow JAWN MURRAY On TWITTER

Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

Getty Images

3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic

3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images

Categories

Contributors

Other BV Blogs