In a candid interview with VladTV, St. Lunatics member Ali, born Ali Jones, has made a resolute declaration that he will never share the stage with fellow St. Louis rapper Nelly again due to an ongoing financial dispute. Ali sat down to discuss his grievances on Wednesday, shedding light on his frustrations with Nelly allegedly failing to fulfill monetary obligations stemming from their collaboration.
Ali revealed that Nelly’s alleged debt to him amounted to significant sums, estimating figures around $90,000 to $70,000. He recounted how Nelly’s attempts at repayment often fell short, leaving Ali perplexed about the discrepancies between the owed amounts and the checks he received, which were considerably less. The St. Lunatics member expressed his dissatisfaction with Nelly’s communication and criticized the lack of transparency in their financial dealings.
However, Ali did not solely attribute their strained relationship to financial matters. He asserted that external influences had exacerbated the division between Nelly and the St. Lunatics group. Despite these challenges, Ali expressed his unwavering decision to sever ties with Nelly on both a professional and personal level.
“I could put a never, ever behind it, will I ever hit the stage or do anything with him,” Ali affirmed. He attributed his newfound clarity to a realization that Nelly’s intentions might not align with the collective’s best interests. Ali painted a picture of Nelly as someone driven by self-interest, and he lamented that their collaborative efforts had often not been genuinely beneficial to all parties involved.
Ali’s proclamation comes in the wake of reports that Nelly secured a lucrative deal by selling half of his music catalog for a reported $50 million. This substantial transaction, which took place in June, included iconic hits like “Hot In Herre” and “Dilemma.” Nelly partnered with HarbourView Equity Partners for the deal, resulting in the transfer of rights to several chart-topping albums that played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary Hip Hop and R&B.
In essence, Ali’s decision to distance himself from Nelly reflects both financial dissatisfaction and a broader disillusionment with their collaborative history. The St. Lunatics member’s candid revelations provide insight into the intricate dynamics of the music industry, shedding light on the complexities of artistic partnerships and financial transactions. As the story unfolds, it underscores the challenges faced by artists navigating the intersection of creativity, business, and personal relationships.
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Written by
Derek Chan – Editor
