SONGS Pub signs Nelly

HE WASN'T KIDDING ABOUT COUNTRY GRAMMAR: Hip-hop star Nelly has inked a worldwide co-pub pact with SONGS Music Publishing. The deal covers his 5.0 album, which includes "Just A Dream" and his current single, "Hey Porsche" (just playlisted at BBC Radio One, as readers of yesterday’s Rumor Mill may recall), and future albums, not to mention his upcoming collaboration with Florida Georgia Line on the remix of "Cruise." The rapper's new album is due out later this year. Big ups to SONGS President and Head of A&R Ron Perry and his A&R staff. You can check out a video of Nelly joining Taylor Swift for a raucous rendition of "Hey Porsche" during the latter's St. Louis stop here. (3/21)