Nelly is Hot!

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

• hit
• R&B
• juice
• rapper

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

In the course of two years, Nelly has become one of the biggest names in music. He is a 23 year-old rapper from St. Louis, Missouri who burst onto the music scene in 1999 with his hit album “Country Grammar.” His latest album, “Nellyville” is a huge hit too. It features the song “Hot in Herre,” which is one of the most popular songs in the U.S.
Nelly’s music is much different than other hip-hop. His unique style and voice appeal to both rap fans and lovers of R&B. Read on to learn more about him.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Nelly thinks the success of his debut album “Country Grammar” is proof that hard work pays off and that destiny always has the final word. “I’m trying to look at everything that happens as something that was supposed to happen,” he says. He also says, “I don’t believe in luck. I believe everything happens for a reason. You make happen what you want to happen.”
Nelly definitely has the power to make great music. “Hot in Herre” has become the song of the summer in the U.S., and you can hear it everywhere – on the radio, on MTV, at bars, at dance clubs…
Check out some of the lyrics to “Hot in Herre:”
Check it, got it locked at the top of the Four Seasons
Penthouse, roof top, birds I’m feedin’
No deceivin’, nothin up my sleeve, no teasin’
I need you to get up up on the dance floor
Give that man what he askin for
Cuz I feel like bustin’ loose and I feel like touchin’ you
And can’t nobody stop the juice,
so baby tell me whats the use?
As you can tell, Nelly’s music is filled with slang. It can be very hard to understand, even for a native English speaker. In fact, if you can understand Nelly, you should consider yourself totally fluent.

 

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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