Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. (born November 2, 1974 in Austin, Texas), better k… Read Full Bio ↴Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. (born November 2, 1974 in Austin, Texas), better known by his stage name Nelly, is an American rapper, singer, actor and entrepreneur signed to Universal and Derrty Records. Born to a half Tunisian father and American mother, he has been active since 1993 as a bandmate of the rap group St. Lunatics, and became a hip-hop superstar after the success of his solo release, Country Grammar, in 2000. The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200, spawned multiple chart toppers and won three Grammy awards. His second effort, 2002's Nellyville, was equally successful and it included the hits "Dilemma" and "Hot in Herre" and was nominated for five Grammy awards, including Album of the Year. In 2004 Nelly released two albums at the same time, Sweat and Suit, and in September they briefly held the two top spots on the charts. His latest album is Brass Knuckles, released in 2008.
Nelly has been equally active as a businessman; among other ventures, in 2003 he released his own energy drink called "Pimp Juice," and in 2004 he became a minority owner of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats basketball team. He is also the CEO of Derrty Entertainment, his own company formed in 2003. Nelly has two clothing lines: Vokal (for men) and Apple Bottoms (for women).

Heart Of A Champion
Nelly Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

C'mon,
I guess he's back 'urr dirty, s-t-l derby
I'm like magic to Kareem, man you tell me I ain't worthy
I ain't speaking 'bout a jersey, I'm speaking 'bout income
Did you hear that Elizabeth? here come the big one!
I put mo' money in the community than you got in yo' budget
I wipe my ass with yo' advance to the toilet then flush it
My last stance be a stance of a general custard

I hot dog cause I can, I got the cheese and mustard
I got the stats of a hall of famer, in just two records
That's why I'm back up at the Superbowl, with Julius Peppers
I got that can't stop, won't stop, in my veins
That's why they can't stop, won't stop, screaming the name
Nelly! Nelly! go tell a friend to tell a friend
I'ma keep the same grin whether I, lose or win
Up, or down ten, I'ma fight to the end
Let's go

[Chorus]
Ain't no way they can stop me now Nelly
Cause I'm on my way, I can feel my ring coming
It's the blood of a champion, pumping
Deep inside my veins, too much pride to be running
I'ma get what I can and more, even if
My blood, my sweat, and my tears don't mean nothing
It's the heart of a champion (it's the heart of me)
(It's the heart of a) in me

I'm the first pick, the first round, signing bonus profound
Playing for his hometown, repping for the home ground
And getting buffer like Michael Riggs, tell 'em again
I gets buffer like Michael Riggs, heard what I said?
The m-v-p of the game, intensity still the same
I'm shooting out from my reign, with Peyton Manning type aim
Can't stop me from scoring so they results are just hacking
So there's, three of us now,- me, A.I. and Shaq'n
From the look to the as I say
Hover man with more heart than Hallmark on Valentine's Day
I'm the one that you've been raven about, like Ray Lewis
I think it hard to go and change your route
Cause you don't know if I'm blitzin' or if I'm sittin' and readin'
Waitin' for you to go and trip, drop back and throw up a brick, man
Ain't no way they blow, know, ain't no way they can, know
Ain't no way they can, know, ain't no way they can, know

[Chorus]

It's like a big time decision made on how I can twurk it
If hard work pays off then easy work is worthless
My work habit ain't no habit man, I do it on purpose
I push myself to the limit so my talent'll surface
So now it's, curtains and drapes, on anybody who hates
Dislikin' what I'm recitin, bitin what I've been writin'
I've been dogfightin', scratchin' and clawin' on every height
I'm gonna to make you remember me like you 'Remember The Titans'
Cause I'm a warr-ior, my daddy was a soldier
A Vietnam vet, lil' derrty I thought I told ya
I'm supposed ta, whip up your town in Testarossas
Heatin like Folgers mayne, I'm young black and rich
As good as it gets, and givin' your point guard fits
He think he done seen pressure mayne, but he ain't seen shhhh
Ain't no way they can blow, know, ain't no way they can, know
Ain't no way they can blow, know, ain't no way they can, know

[Chorus:Repeat x2]

Overall Meaning

Nelly's "Heart of a Champion" is a song about perseverance, determination, and hard work. The lyrics convey the message that no matter the obstacle or challenge, an individual with heart and drive will always find a way to succeed. In the opening verse, Nelly compares himself to a legendary basketball player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and declares that he is worthy of recognition and success. He also boasts about the amount of money he contributes to the community and his nonchalant attitude towards using his advance to wipe his behind.

Nelly then goes on to declare himself a hall of famer with just two records and boasts of his accomplishments in sports, including playing at the Superbowl with Julius Peppers. The chorus emphasizes the perseverance and pride of a champion regardless of the circumstances. Nelly declares himself a warrior, drawing inspiration from his father's service as a Vietnam War veteran. Additionally, he claims that he thrives under pressure and that his talent will always shine through.

Overall, "Heart of a Champion" is a motivational anthem that celebrates the drive and determination required to succeed against all odds. The lyrics are a call to action for listeners to work hard and never give up, reminding us all that with the heart of a champion, anything is possible.

Line by Line Meaning

C'mon,
Let's get started

I guess he's back 'urr dirty, s-t-l derby
I am back in St. Louis

I'm like magic to Kareem, man you tell me I ain't worthy
My skills are as great as Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's, so don't doubt me

I ain't speaking 'bout a jersey, I'm speaking 'bout income
I'm not talking about my clothes, but my wealth

Did you hear that Elizabeth? here come the big one!
I am about to achieve something big

I put mo' money in the community than you got in yo' budget
I invest more in the community than the government

I wipe my ass with yo' advance to the toilet then flush it
I don't need your money, I use it as toilet paper

My last stance be a stance of a general custard
My final stand is as brave as that of General Custer's

I hot dog cause I can, I got the cheese and mustard
I show off because I am the best

I got the stats of a hall of famer, in just two records
My performances are already legendary after just two albums

That's why I'm back up at the Superbowl, with Julius Peppers
I am a successful artist who can perform at the Superbowl with a famous athlete

I got that can't stop, won't stop, in my veins
I am determined and unstoppable

That's why they can't stop, won't stop, screaming the name
My fans are passionate and enthusiastic about me

Nelly! Nelly! go tell a friend to tell a friend
Spread the word about me and share my music with others

I'ma keep the same grin whether I, lose or win
I will maintain my positive attitude in any situation

Up, or down ten, I'ma fight to the end
I will keep fighting even when I am losing

Ain't no way they can stop me now Nelly
Nobody can stop me now

Cause I'm on my way, I can feel my ring coming
I am on my way to achieving greatness

It's the blood of a champion, pumping
I have the mentality and strength of a champion

Deep inside my veins, too much pride to be running
I have too much pride to give up or run away

I'ma get what I can and more, even if
I will work hard to achieve my goals

My blood, my sweat, and my tears don't mean nothing
My hard work and dedication will not go to waste

It's the heart of a champion (it's the heart of me)
I have the spirit and determination of a champion

(It's the heart of a) in me
That's who I am

I'm the first pick, the first round, signing bonus profound
I am the top choice, with a big signing bonus

Playing for his hometown, repping for the home ground
I represent my hometown and take pride in it

And getting buffer like Michael Riggs, tell 'em again
I am getting stronger and better, like Michael Riggs

The m-v-p of the game, intensity still the same
I am the most valuable player, with the same level of intensity

I'm shooting out from my reign, with Peyton Manning type aim
I am dominating and precise, like NFL quarterback Peyton Manning

Can't stop me from scoring so they results are just hacking
My opponents can't stop me, so they resort to cheating

So there's, three of us now,- me, A.I. and Shaq'n
I am part of a group of talented athletes

From the look to the as I say
From my appearance to the words I speak

Hover man with more heart than Hallmark on Valentine's Day
I am a strong and caring individual

I'm the one that you've been raven about, like Ray Lewis
I am the one that people have been talking about, like NFL player Ray Lewis

I think it hard to go and change your route
It's difficult to beat me or change my strategy

Cause you don't know if I'm blitzin' or if I'm sittin' and readin'
You don't know if I'm attacking or analyzing

Waitin' for you to go and trip, drop back and throw up a brick, man
I am waiting for you to make a mistake and fail

It's like a big time decision made on how I can twurk it
I make big decisions on how to succeed

If hard work pays off then easy work is worthless
Only hard work leads to success

My work habit ain't no habit man, I do it on purpose
My work ethic is intentional and deliberate

I push myself to the limit so my talent'll surface
I work hard to showcase my talent

So now it's, curtains and drapes, on anybody who hates
My success is inevitable and I will silence my haters

Dislikin' what I'm recitin, bitin what I've been writin'
People may dislike or copy my work, but it won't stop me

I've been dogfightin', scratchin' and clawin' on every height
I have fought hard throughout my career to achieve success

I'm gonna to make you remember me like you 'Remember The Titans'
I will leave a lasting legacy like the movie Remember The Titans

Cause I'm a warr-ior, my daddy was a soldier
I am a fighter, just like my father who was a soldier

A Vietnam vet, lil' derrty I thought I told ya
My father fought in the Vietnam War, and I have mentioned it before

I'm supposed ta, whip up your town in Testarossas
I am supposed to take your town by storm

Heatin like Folgers mayne, I'm young black and rich
I am on fire like coffee, and I am young, black, and wealthy

As good as it gets, and givin' your point guard fits
I am the best and I can outplay your point guard

He think he done seen pressure mayne, but he ain't seen shhhh
Your point guard may have experienced pressure, but he hasn't seen anything yet

Ain't no way they can blow, know, ain't no way they can, know
They can't beat me, they already know

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: CORNELL HAYNES, JOHN F. TESH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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