Singer Nelly has all his bases covered

Had things turned about differently, Nelly might be in the lineup Saturday rather than performing after the Rays game Saturday.

The St. Louis-based rapper, born Cornell Haynes Jr., was scouted by a couple of major league teams before devoting himself to a career in hip hop.

Although he insists he was "probably not very close" to a major league career, he adds, "I've been to a few tryout camps. I was invited to the Atlanta Braves camp in St. Louis. (Phillies slugger) Ryan Howard was there. He was hitting the ball a ton then too."

Nelly didn't leave sports behind entirely. He's co-owner of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.

He's also got his own energy drink, Pimp Juice. And two clothing lines, Apple Bottoms for women and Vokal or men. And a promotional deal with Ford.

Does Nelly have time to rap?

"It's funny, I've got meetings about all those things you mentioned in a couple of hours," Nelly says. "It's a little rough, especially during album time. After album time I'll knock it all out."

This is, however, album time. His latest, "5.0," is set for release this summer and he's not bothering to be modest about it.

"The album is incredible," Nelly says. "It's mellow but energetic. This one I think people are gonna love."

It will cover all the Nelly bases, from beat-heavy hip-hop to more radio-friendly R&B, including a duet with Kelly Rowland, with whom he scored a No. 1 hit in 2002 with "Dilemma."

"I think every fan has the perfect Nelly song that defines what they love about what you do and how they see you as an artist," he says. "It's hard when you've had success doing different things. It's kind of hard to see how fans really envision you."

Nelly's been a hit from the start with his debut, 2000's "Country Grammar," going to No. 1 on Billboard's pop and R&B album charts. Follow-up "Nellyville" (2002) did the same. He simultaneously released the hip-hop-oriented "Sweat" and the R&B-leaning "Suit" in 2004, reaching No. 2 and No. 1 respectively.

"Suit" featured "Over and Over," an unlikely but successful collaboration with country singer Tim McGraw.

"Sweatsuit," a sampler of the two previous albums, came out in 2005, while "Brass Knuckles" followed in 2008.

Nelly also records and tours with his crew St. Lunatics, which he says will be releasing a new album this summer.

He ranked third in Billboard's "Artists of the Decade" for the '00s.

Nelly will perform Saturday following the 4:10 p.m. Tampa Bay Rays-Seattle Mariners game at Tropicana Field, One Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. The concert is free with a ticket to the game. Call 1-888-326-7297.