Honestly, if you were breathing between 2012 and 2014, you couldn't escape that "Cruise" remix. It was everywhere. It was in your car, at every wedding, and definitely blaring from every backyard BBQ in America.
When Florida Georgia Line and Nelly first teamed up, people were confused. Skeptical. A country duo from Nashville and the "Hot in Herre" rapper from St. Louis? It sounded like a label executive’s fever dream. But then the song hit the airwaves, and suddenly, the "mono-genre" was born.
It wasn't just a hit. It was a cultural shift.
The Nashville-to-St. Louis Connection
Most people think "Cruise" was the only thing they did together. Not even close. Before the world knew them as the kings of "bro-country," Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley were just two guys trying to get a foot in the door. They wrote "Cruise" in about 45 minutes. Think about that. A song that eventually went Diamond—the first country song to ever do so—took less time to write than a standard lunch break.
The original version was already a smash on country radio, but the remix with Nelly? That’s what kicked the door down for pop crossover. Nelly didn't just phone in a verse; he brought a specific melodic flow that bridged the gap between rural twang and urban rhythm.
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Why Florida Georgia Line and Nelly actually worked
There’s a reason this trio clicked when other country-rap attempts felt like a middle-aged dad trying to use slang at a middle school dance.
- Real Chemistry: Nelly has gone on record calling Tyler and Brian "family" and "little brothers." This wasn't a forced corporate handshake. They actually liked each other.
- The "Country Grammar" Factor: We forget that Nelly's debut album was literally called Country Grammar. He always had a "country boy" swagger, even when he was wearing a Band-Aid on his face in 2002.
- Zero Snobbery: FGL never pretended to be traditionalists. They openly admitted their mixtapes had "a little Hank, a little Drake." They didn't care about the gatekeepers at the Grand Ole Opry.
By the time they hit the road for the Smooth Tour in 2017—which also featured the Backstreet Boys, because why not?—they had solidified a brand that was essentially "The Ultimate Summer Party."
The "Lil Bit" Era and the 2026 Reunion Rumors
Fast forward to 2020. The world is in chaos, and Nelly decides it's time for a "country-influenced" project called The Heartland. Who does he call first? FGL.
"Lil Bit" became their third official collaboration (after "Cruise" and the less-discussed "Walk Away" from Nelly’s M.O. album). It proved the magic was still there. The song peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is wild for a genre-bending track released nearly a decade after their first hit.
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But then, the duo went quiet.
What happened to Florida Georgia Line?
The breakup in 2022 was messy, or at least it felt that way to fans watching from the outside. Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley didn't just stop making music; they stopped standing in the same room. Rumors flew about political differences, but both artists have since clarified that it was mostly about a desire to explore solo careers.
Tyler Hubbard went on to have huge solo hits like "5 Foot 9," while Brian Kelley leaned into his "Beach Cowboy" persona.
Wait—is the band back together? As of January 2026, the internet is losing its mind. Just a few weeks ago, Brian Kelley posted a video of a hike he took with Tyler. They haven't been seen "hanging out" like that in years. Even Tyler’s wife, Hayley, and fellow country stars like Hardy and Jason Aldean have been dropping cryptic comments on social media.
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Hardy literally asked in the comments, "Do I need to start writing Florida Georgia Line songs again?"
If they do reunite this year, you can bet your last dollar that Nelly will be one of the first phone calls they make.
The Legacy of the "Cruise" Effect
You can't talk about modern country without acknowledging the "Cruise" effect. Whether you love it or hate it, Florida Georgia Line and Nelly changed the DNA of the genre.
- Diamond Status: They proved country songs could sell 10 million units in the digital age.
- The Collaboration Blueprint: Without them, we don't get Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus. We don't get Post Malone’s country era. We don't get Morgan Wallen using trap beats.
- Touring Diversity: They broke the mold of what a country concert lineup looks like.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan or someone watching the industry, here’s how to navigate the FGL/Nelly landscape in 2026:
- Watch the 2026 Festival Circuit: Rumors suggest a "surprise" appearance at a major festival (potentially Stagecoach) where Nelly is already a frequent guest.
- Check out "Deep Cuts & Lost Tracks Vol. 1": The duo quietly dropped an EP of unreleased material last year. It’s the closest thing to "new" FGL music we have.
- Listen to Nelly's The Heartland: If you only know the radio hits, this album shows a much deeper appreciation for the Nashville songwriting style than people give him credit for.
The reality is that Florida Georgia Line and Nelly didn't just make a song; they made a lane. Even with the duo on hiatus for the last few years, that lane is wider than ever. Keep an eye on those social media "hike" videos—2026 might be the year the party finally restarts.
Next Steps:
Go back and listen to the "FGL Remix" of "Lil Bit" on the Life Rolls On deluxe album. It's much "twangier" than the radio version and gives you a better idea of how they were trying to blend the two sounds right before the split.