Nelly and the St. Lunatics Awarded Key to the City of St. Louis at Black & White Ball

Nelly and the St. Lunatics were honored by their hometown of St. Louis with the prestigious key to the city at Nelly’s annual Black & White Ball on Sunday, December 15. The star-studded event not only celebrated the achievements of the iconic rapper and his crew but also served as a platform to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and offer scholarships to Harris-Stowe State University.

A Night of Celebration and Giving Back

The Black & White Ball, a signature event in Nelly’s calendar, brought out a host of celebrities, including his wife Ashanti, fellow St. Louisans J-Kwon and Metro Boomin, as well as Ne-Yo, Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, and producer Bryan-Michael Cox. The evening was a celebration of both Nelly’s contributions to the music industry and his ongoing commitment to giving back to the community.

Among the highlights of the event was a heartfelt tribute to Max Del Rosario, a young boy battling Hodgkin’s disease, who was honored for his resilience by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

St. Louis Honors Its Own

The most significant moment of the evening came when St. Louis mayor Tishaura Jones presented Nelly and the St. Lunatics with the key to the city. Mayor Jones praised Nelly for his unparalleled contributions to the city and its culture.

“You’ve had an amazing year and an amazing career. I think we can all agree in this room that Nelly has put St. Louis on the map,” Jones said. “And because of that, he’s been awarded time and time again by so many national organizations – but we want to give him his flowers here.”

The mayor’s speech was followed by the presentation of the newly-designed key, symbolizing Nelly’s lasting impact on St. Louis and his role in shaping the city’s musical legacy.

Legal Drama and Resolution

While the night was a celebration, it was also marked by a backdrop of legal drama. Earlier this fall, a lawsuit was filed by the St. Lunatics, accusing Nelly of withholding royalties for their contributions to his Diamond-certified debut album Country Grammar.

However, three members of the group—Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, and City Spud—quickly withdrew their names from the lawsuit, leaving only Nelly and Ali in a dispute over unpaid royalties. Ali has expressed his intention to continue pursuing the matter legally, while the other members of the group have distanced themselves from the case.

Despite the legal tensions, the St. Lunatics united to support Nelly during the event, with Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, and City Spud attending the ball.

In the wake of this recognition, Nelly’s influence on St. Louis and the wider music industry remains undeniable. As the recipient of the key to the city, his legacy in St. Louis continues to be celebrated. The Black & White Ball served as a reminder of the power of music, community, and the lasting impact of one’s contributions to both.

With ongoing plans for collaboration and tours, including an upcoming joint tour with Eve and Ja Rule, Nelly’s career shows no signs of slowing down. The key to the city is just one more accolade in a career that has consistently bridged music, philanthropy, and cultural significance.