Country Grammar (Hot Shit)

"Country Grammar (Hot Shit)" (also known as "Country Grammar (Hot...)") is the debut single of American rapper Nelly. The song was written by Nelly and Jason "Jay E" Epperson, who also produced the track. Released on February 29, 2000, as the lead single from Nelly's 2000 debut album, Country Grammar, the single peaked at number seven in both the United States and the United Kingdom and reached the top 20 in Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands.

"Country Grammar (Hot Shit)"
US artwork
Single by Nelly
from the album Country Grammar
B-side"Greed Hate Envy"
ReleasedFebruary 29, 2000 (2000-02-29)
StudioUnique (New York City)
Length
  • 4:48 (album version)
  • 4:19 (edit)
Label
Composer(s)Jason "Jay E" Epperson
Lyricist(s)Nelly
Producer(s)Jason "Jay E" Epperson
Nelly singles chronology
"Country Grammar (Hot Shit)"
(2000)
"E.I."
(2000)
Alternative cover
European and Australian artwork

Composition

The song's melody and chorus were taken from a song popularly sung by children with clapping games called "Down Down Baby". On the clean version, the word "shit" is backmasked, and most of the explicit words are replaced by radio-friendly words and bleep-related sound effects. For instance, the lyrics "street sweeper baby cocked" in the chorus are replaced with "boom boom baby" due to its reference to a submachine gun.

"Country Grammar" references Beenie Man's 1998 dancehall single "Who Am I (Sim Simma)" with the line, "Keys to my beemer, man, holla at Beenie Man".

Music video

The video features Nelly rapping in front of several key landmarks across St. Louis such as the Gateway Arch and Lafayette Square.[1][2] The video features St. Lunatics and fellow Midwest rapper Chingy.[3]

Track listings

US CD single[4]
No.TitleLength
1."(Hot S**t) Country Grammar" (clean edit)4:15
2."(Hot S**t) Country Grammar" (dirty edit)4:15
3."Greed Hate Envy"0:30
4."E.I."0:30
5."Ride wit Me"0:30
US 12-inch single[5]
No.TitleLength
1."(Hot S**t) Country Grammar" (clean edit)4:49
2."(Hot S**t) Country Grammar" (dirty edit)4:49
3."(Hot S**t) Country Grammar" (instrumental)4:49
UK CD single[6]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Grammar" (superclean radio edit)3:52
2."Luven Me"4:07
3."Country Grammar" (instrumental)4:48
4."Country Grammar" (video) 
UK 12-inch single[7]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Grammar" (album version)4:47
2."Country Grammar" (acapella)3:58
3."Country Grammar" (instrumental)4:48
UK cassette single[8]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Grammar" (superclean radio edit)3:52
2."Luven Me"4:07
3."Country Grammar" (instrumental)4:48
European CD single[9]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Grammar" (new radio edit)3:04
2."Country Grammar" (superclean radio edit with FX)3:50
Australian CD single[10]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Grammar" (new radio edit)3:04
2."Country Grammar" (superclean radio edit with FX)3:50
3."Country Grammar" (2 step mix)5:56
4."Country Grammar" (album version)4:47

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Country Grammar liner notes.[11]

Studios

  • Recorded at Unique Studios (New York City)
  • Mixed at Sound on Sound Studios (New York City)
  • Mastered at Powers House of Sound (New York City)

Personnel

  • Nelly – lyrics
  • Jason "Jay E" Epperson – music, production
  • Steve Eigner – recording, engineering
  • Kenny Dykstra – recording and engineering assistance
  • Rich Travali – mixing
  • Jason Standard – mixing assistance
  • Herb Powers – mastering

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)Position
US Billboard Hot 100[33]29
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[34]19
US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)[35]5
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[36]48
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[37]4
Chart (2001)Position
Australia (ARIA)[38]77
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[39]99

Certifications

RegionCertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[40]Gold35,000^
United States (RIAA)[41]Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United StatesFebruary 29, 2000
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
Universal[citation needed]
March 7, 2000Urban radio[42]
March 21, 2000Rhythmic contemporary radio[43]
June 13, 2000Contemporary hit radio[44][45]
United KingdomOctober 30, 2000
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[46]

References