Grillz Explained

"Grillz" is a song by American rapper Nelly featuring fellow American rappers Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp, and uncredited vocals from American singer Brandi Williams (of the group Blaque).^[1] The song was written by Nelly, Jermaine Dupri, Paul Wall, Ali, Gipp and James Phillips; it contains samples of Destiny's Child's "Soldier", written by Beyoncé Knowles, Kelendria Rowland, Tenitra Williams, Garrett Hamler, and Rich Harrison; it also contains samples of "Left Me Lonely" by MC Shan. Production was handled by Dupri. 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'".^[2]

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^[3]

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

UK, European, and Australasian CD single^{[4] [5] [6]}

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^[7]

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

Year-end charts

Chart (2006)	Position
Australia (ARIA)[9]	81
Australian Urban (ARIA)[10]	23
UK Urban (Music Week)[11]	19
US Billboard Hot 100[12]	12
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13]	11
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[14]	5

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	November 1, 2005	Rhythmic contemporary radio		[15]
	December 13, 2005	Contemporary hit radio
United Kingdom	March 20, 2006	CD		[16]
Australia	March 27, 2006			[17]

See also

• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2006 (U.S.)

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Number Ones: Nelly's 'Grillz' (Feat. Paul Wall, Ali, & Gipp). Breihan. Tom. Stereogum. January 18, 2023. February 15, 2023.
2. Web site: 2006 Grammy Awards. Grammy Awards. March 12, 2023.
3. Grillz. Nelly. 2005. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Universal Records, Fo' Reel Entertainment, Derrty Ent.. B0005897-11.
4. Grillz. Nelly. 2006. UK CD single liner notes. Universal Records, Fo' Reel Entertainment, Derrty Ent.. MCSTD 40453, 9852925.
5. Grillz. Nelly. 2006. European CD single liner notes. Universal Records, Fo' Reel Entertainment, Derrty Ent.. 0602498529256.
6. Grillz. Nelly. 2006. Australasian CD single liner notes. Universal Records, Fo' Reel Entertainment, Derrty Ent.. 9852925.
7. Grillz. Nelly. 2006. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Universal Records, Fo' Reel Entertainment, Derrty Ent.. MCST 40453.
8. R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30. Radio & Records. 1649. 26. March 17, 2006. May 15, 2024.
9. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2006. ARIA. January 30, 2021.
10. Web site: ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Singles 2006. ARIA. May 4, 2019.
11. 2006 Urban Top 40. Music Week. 26. January 13, 2007. August 6, 2023.
12. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2006. Billboardtop100of.com. May 4, 2019.
13. Web site: Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Titles – 2006. Billboard.biz. 2006. October 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20121003173555/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2006/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs-titles. October 3, 2012.
14. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2006. Billboard. January 22, 2020.
15. Web site: FMQB : Radio Industry News. FMQB. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130602195200/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239#2005. June 2, 2013. October 21, 2021.
16. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 31. March 18, 2006.
17. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 27th March 2006. ARIA. 28. March 27, 2006. dead. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20060409140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20060410-0000/ISSUE838.pdf. April 9, 2006. October 21, 2021.