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CMT Taps Nelly as First Rapper to Headline ‘CMT Crossroads’ with Special Guests Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line & More
Debuting as the music series’ very first hip hop headliner, CMT recently announced that Grammy-winning artist Nelly will headline an…

Nelly; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Debuting as the music series’ very first hip hop headliner, CMT recently announced that Grammy-winning artist Nelly will headline an upcoming episode of CMT Crossroads.
Joining Nelly on this journey are his friends and fellow collaborators Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Blanco Brown and BRELAND. CMT Crossroads: Nelly & Friends is set to premiere on CMT Wednesday, September 1st at 10p/9c.
After entering the country scene with a bang in 2004 with “Over and Over,” a duet with Tim McGraw, the hip-hop icon continues to incorporate country influences in his unique style of music.
The singer has been working hard to get new music out to his fans and recently released “High Horse,” the second single from his upcoming EP Heartland, featuring Blanco Brown and BRELAND. “Lil Bit” with Florida Georgia Line, the first single from the EP, has been a major hit, securing a RIAA PLATINUM certification.
Heartland is set to drop on August 27.

“I’m excited to celebrate my music with my friends and fellow artists on Crossroads! When people talk about me crossing lines and genres, I think about it more that music brings folks together,” Nelly shared.
The CMT Crossroads: Nelly & Friends special will include not only performances from his newest project, but also some of Nelly’s biggest hits. Viewers can look forward to additional surprises in honor of the 20th anniversary of his track “Country Grammar.” The special also marks the first time artists Kane Brown, Blanco Brown and BRELAND will take the Crossroads Stage. Florida Georgia Line will be returning after their legendary episode with Backstreet Boys in 2017.
The CMT Crossroads series first premiered on January 13, 2002 and has allowed country artists to branch out into other genres by pairing them with musicians outside of country music. So far, the series has showcased partnerships such as Ray Charles and Travis Tritt; Bon Jovi and Sugarland; Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire; Def Leppard and Taylor Swift; Sting and Vince Gill; John Mayer and Keith Urban; Mumford & Sons and Emmylou Harris; Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood; Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum; Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves; Alicia Keys and Maren Morris; Halsey and Kelsea Ballerini and Nathaniel Rateliff and Margo Price.