Nelly and Metro Boomin have plans to reignite St. Louis hip-hop in 2026 with the announcement of a new St. Lunatics album after a 25-year hiatus.
At his annual Black and White gala, Nelly said the comeback album will be executive-produced by Metro Boomin, a collaboration bridging generations of Missouri hip-hop. The Country Grammar creator paused the program to address the crowd directly.
“It felt like the right moment,” Nelly said. “This city raised us, and it deserves to hear us together again.”
Minus Ali, The St. Lunatics joined Nelly onstage for brief performances, drawing loud reactions from attendees. The moment signaled unity more than spectacle.
The album will mark the first St. Lunatics group release since 2001. That debut helped launch Nelly’s solo rise and defined the glossy, melodic sound of early-2000s Midwest rap. Nelly framed the new project as a continuation rather than a revival.
“We’re not chasing the past,” he said. “We’re building on it.”
Metro Boomin’s involvement adds contemporary weight to the reunion. The Grammy-winning producer has shaped modern hip-hop through work with Future, 21 Savage, and The Weeknd. Nelly said Metro’s role felt natural.
“He understands where the sound started and where it’s going,” Nelly said. “That matters.”
Nelly described the album as a reflection on longevity. “Twenty-five years later, we’re still here,” he said. “That’s not an accident. That’s work, growth, and love for the culture.”
Nelly said the group remains focused on recording rather than timelines. “We want it to feel right,” he said. “When it drops, it should mean something.”
With Metro Boomin guiding the production and the St. Lunatics reunited, the project stands as one of hip-hop’s most closely watched comeback albums. For Nelly, it represents a return home on his own terms.
