Nelly takes radio gig on Hot 104.1

BY KEVIN C. JOHNSON • Post-Dispatch Pop Music Critic

St. Louis is about to hear a lot more Nelly on the radio. Just not his music.

Starting Wednesday, the rapper will join urban radio station Hot 104.1 (WHHL-FM) as the afternoon drive-time host.

Nelly is filling in on the weekday 3-7 p.m. slot for popular personality Staci Static, who is on maternity leave. Station executives said they expect Nelly's on-air run to last anywhere from 10 to 16 weeks.

"It made perfect sense for the hometown boy to do it for the short term," said Mickey Johnson, WHHL's program director. "I was looking for someone local and someone who had that star power. Someone not to replace Staci but (someone) who could continue to drive the ratings and make it interesting."

The arrangement had been in the works for about three weeks, Johnson said, adding that Static was included in the decision.

As the lone afternoon DJ, Nelly can be expected to banter a bit between songs, introduce them to listeners and conduct interviews.

"With Nelly being so plugged in to the industry - with the multiple Grammys and being a co-owner of the Bobcats - I knew it was easy for him to line up interviews," Johnson said.

What listeners won't hear from the "Country Grammar" superstar: news, topical issues or too much self-promotion for his upcoming "Nelly 5.0" CD.

If Nelly does hype his new singles, Johnson said it will be in "a natural way that fits within the format of the station."

Station personality Janee' will produce Nelly's show.

"We are thrilled to have the man who put St. Louis hip-hop on the map joining our team," WHHL executives said in a statement. "We look forward to the kind of show only a star of this magnitude can bring to St. Louis."