"Ride wit Me" is a song by American rapperNelly featuringCity Spud. It was released on February 13, 2001, as the third single from Nelly's debut studio album,Country Grammar (2000). "Ride wit Me" peaked at number three on the USBillboard Hot 100 chart and peaked within the top 10 of the charts in Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, "Ride wit Me" became Nelly's highest-charting single at the time, peaking at number three on theBillboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, "Ride wit Me" debuted and peaked at number three on theUK Singles Chart on May 13, 2001—for the week ending date May 19, 2001—becoming Nelly's highest-charting song in Britain until October 2002, when his duet withKelly Rowland, "Dilemma", became his first chart-topper on the UK Singles Chart.
Largely inspired by the 1977 filmSmokey and the Bandit, and also referencing the 1980s television comedyThe Dukes of Hazzard and the 1967 filmCool Hand Luke, the video (directed byMarc Klasfeld) sees Nelly and Ali driving to a dilapidated bar occupied bySt. Lunatics members Kyjuan, Slo-Down andMurphy Lee to throw a party. Ali drives aPeterbilt 379 truck filled with women, while Nelly drives a 1978Pontiac Firebird Trans Am along a desert road, as the video follows their journey and eventual encounters with police, hitchhikers and other roadside incidents. The video culminates with their arrival and a party taking place outside the bar. Featured artist City Spud provides the third verse; however, due to being incarcerated, he does not appear in the music video; Nelly and the St. Lunatics lip-sync his lines. The video wonBest Rap Video at the2001 MTV Video Music Awards, also receiving a nomination forViewer's Choice.[4][5]
^Molanphy, Chris (June 21, 2021)."Say My Name, Say My Name Edition".Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast).Slate. RetrievedFebruary 13, 2024....the album's biggest hit Ride With Me was a pure pop confection, so driven by its melody, it seemed odd to call it rap at all.
^Ride wit Me (UK CD single liner notes). Nelly. Fo' Reel Entertainment, Universal Records. 2001. MCSTD 40252, 158963-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ride wit Me (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Nelly. Fo' Reel Entertainment, Universal Records. 2001. MCST 40252, 158963-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ride wit Me (European CD single liner notes). Nelly. Fo' Reel Entertainment, Universal Records. 2001. 158 819-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ride wit Me (Australian CD single liner notes). Nelly. Fo' Reel Entertainment, Universal Records. 2001. 158 820-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
