We rank Ashanti and Nelly’s best tracks to date.

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5. Ashanti – Baby

This is easily my favorite Ashanti track.

I absolutely love the urgency of “Baby” as a whole. The track is propelled by an uptempo, sly beat that perfectly complements Ashanti’s seductive, euphoric singing—it’s hard to resist. It’s no surprise, considering she talks about this mysterious guy (probably Nelly) who makes her feel on top of the world all the time.

4. Dillema (Ft. Kelly Rowland) (2002)

I wonder how Ashanti felt when she heard Kelly Rowland say she loved Nelly in this track.

I’m just kidding; this track came out before they got involved (in 2003). Anyway, what’s dope about “Dilemma” is that it features some great chemistry between Nelly and Kelly. They both sound smitten, vulnerable as hell, and even finish each other’s sentences. I feel like this song was the definition of middle school love.

3. Ashanti – Foolish (2002)

Ashanti took a classic Biggie beat and made a classic R&B track out of it.

This is actually one of the most successful debut singles by an R&B singer. “Foolish.” stands out because of its vulnerable lyrics, nostalgic production (It flips Biggie’s classic “One More Chance” beat), and a vocal performance that is not great but impactful enough. When the song came out, I felt like every woman saw it as an anthem for their fractured relationship.

106 and Park made this track legendary.

2. Nelly – Ride Wit Me (2000)

I wouldn’t be mad at you if you consider “Ride Wit Me” Nelly’s best track.

Today, I feel like “Ride Wit Me” hits just as hard. There are a lot of elements in the track that Nelly used that people still use today: smooth melodic raps, polished production, feel-good vibes, and laidback lyrics that resonate with listeners.

What’s City Spud doing these days?

1. Nelly – Country Grammar (2000)

This is the track that blew Nelly up.

What would the St. Louis hip-hop scene be without “Country Grammar?” Even though I don’t consider the city “country,” the song blended Midwest and Southern vibes extremely well. With its catchy hook, exuberant sound, and unique melodic raps, it brought something fresh and distinctive to the table. In retrospect, this song truly changed the whole game.

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