Nelly Taps Metro Boomin To Produce New St. Lunatics Album

Nelly‘s old group, the St. Lunatics, are set to make a comeback in 2026 — with help from arguably hip-hop’s biggest producer, Metro Boomin.

The “Hot In Herre” hitmaker announced the news at his 2025 Black and White Ball on Sunday (December 14), revealing that fellow St. Louis native Metro will executive produce the group’s upcoming album — their first in 25 years.

“St. Lunatics, 2026, executive produced by Metro Boomin,” he said while addressing attendees at the annual charity event. “St. Louis, we in the building! We turning up 2026 one time!”

The as-yet-untitled project will mark the long-awaited follow-up to St. Lunatics’ 2001 debut Free City, which arrived on the heels of Nelly’s own blockbuster breakthrough Country Grammar.

It will also follow the group’s surprise reunion at the 2024 American Music Awards last October, where Nelly, Murphy Lee, Spud City, Kyjuan and Slo Down performed classic tracks like “Air Force Ones,” “Ride Wit Me,” and “Hot In Herre.”

Fellow St. Lunatic Ali was noticeably absent from that performance, most likely due to his legal dispute with Nelly. The 52-year-old sued his groupmate earlier that year over claims that he and the rest of the St. Lunatics were still owed royalties from their work on Country Grammar.

The lawsuit, which sought a staggering $50 million in damages and claimed that the album’s credits undersold the group’s contributions, thus depriving them of royalties, was later withdrawn by Ali.

The judge presiding over the case later ruled that the attorneys behind the suit should be sanctioned for pursuing claims that were clearly without legal merit.

It’s currently unclear whether Nelly and Ali are on good terms and whether the latter will be involved in the making of the new St. Lunatics album.