"Grillz" is a song by American rapper Nelly featuring fellow American rappers Paul Wall and Ali & Gipp, and uncredited vocals from American singer Brandi Williams of the group Blaque. The song was written by Nelly, Paul Wall, Ali and Gipp, Jermaine Dupri, and LRoc. It contains samples of Destiny's Child's "Soldier". Production was handled by Dupri, with additional production from LRoc. Following its release, it topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 20 in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Awards

In 2007, the song was nominated for Best Rap Performance as a Duo or Group at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, losing to Chamillionaire's "Ridin'".

Chart performance

"Grillz" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. It stayed on the top spot for two consecutive weeks. At the end of the year it was ranked number 12 on the Billboard 2006 year-end chart. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified "Grillz" platinum for 1,000,000 digital sales and for 1,000,000 mastertone sales.

Music video

The song's music video, directed by Fat Cats, was released in 2005. Jermaine Dupri, Big Boi, Iamsu!, Avery Storm, St. Lunatics, Taylor Made, Jung Tru, Chocolate Tai, and Johnny Dang make cameo appearances throughout the video.

Track listings

US 12-inch single

  1. "Grillz" (dirty version) – 4:30
  2. "Grillz" (clean version) – 4:30
  3. "Grillz" (instrumental) – 4:30

UK, European, and Australasian CD single

  1. "Grillz" (radio edit) – 3:47
  2. "Grillz" (explicit) – 4:30
  3. "Tired" (album version explicit featuring Avery Storm) – 3:17
  4. "Grillz" (video)

UK 12-inch single

A1. "Grillz" (radio edit) – 3:47

A2. "Grillz" (explicit) – 4:30

B1. "Grillz" (instrumental) – 4:30

B2. "Tired" (album version explicit featuring Avery Storm) – 3:17

Charts

Chart (2005–2006)Peak position
Weekly charts Chart (2005–2006) Peak position Australia (ARIA) 11 Australian Urban (ARIA) 3 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 74 Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records) 21 Germany (GfK) 53 Ireland (IRMA) 12 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 10 Scotland Singles (OCC) 31 UK Singles (OCC) 24 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) 4 US Billboard Hot 100 1 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 2 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) 1 US Pop Airplay (Billboard) 7 US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard) 1Year-end charts Chart (2006) Position Australia (ARIA) 81 Australian Urban (ARIA) 23 UK Urban (Music Week) 19 US Billboard Hot 100 12 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 11 US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard) 5
Australia (ARIA)11
Australian Urban (ARIA)3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)74
Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)21
Germany (GfK)53
Ireland (IRMA)12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)10
Scotland Singles (OCC)31
UK Singles (OCC)24
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)4
US Billboard Hot 1001
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)2
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)1
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)7
US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)1
Chart (2006)Position
Australia (ARIA)81
Australian Urban (ARIA)23
UK Urban (Music Week)19
US Billboard Hot 10012
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)11
US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)5

Certifications

RegionCertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)Gold500,000‡
United States (RIAA) DigitalPlatinum1,000,000*
United States (RIAA) MastertonePlatinum1,000,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesNovember 1, 2005Rhythmic contemporary radioUniversalFo' Reel EntertainmentDerrty Ent.
December 13, 2005Contemporary hit radio
United KingdomMarch 20, 2006CD
AustraliaMarch 27, 2006

See also