Nelly signs deal with Reebok

Grammy Award Winning Rap Artist Nelly joined Reebok International Ltd.'s growing stable of rapper endorsers.

St. Louis native entered a long-term partnership with Reebok Tuesday that includes a signature collection of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories.

"I've always been into sneakers and throughout my career I've always wanted to have a signature pair of sneakers that truly reflect my personal style," Nelly said in a statement.

The initial launch of the collection will be in holiday 2005 in select boutiques and athletic specialty retailers with an expanded distribution in 2006. The collection will feature clean, aggressive, sport-inspired designs with unique colors and materials that reflect Nelly's personal style and flavor. The athletic shoes will retail for $75 to $85

Nelly will also appear in Reebok's "I Am What I Am" global advertising campaign, joining the Reebok "I Am What I Am" family which includes Allen Iverson, Jay-Z, Yao Ming, Curt Schilling, 50 Cent, Nicole Vaidisova, Donovan McNabb, Christina Ricci, Stevie Williams, and many more.

Nelly, whose birth name is Cornell Haynes Jr., has sold more than 30 million albums throughout his career.