UNIVERSITY CITY • There was something distinctly missing when Nelly's St. Louis Walk of Fame star was placed in the Delmar Loop sidewalk — the induction ceremony that usually accompanies the addition of the star.

When the St. Louis rapper was voted into the Walk of Fame in 2005, followed by the star's installation in 2006, he was too busy to schedule an appearance.

That all changed Friday evening at Blueberry Hill, where Nelly was not only present for an induction ceremony announced at the last minute, but at a surprise free concert for a packed house.

Fans began heading over to Blueberry Hill shortly after Nelly went on local radio stations Friday afternoon to announce the induction and concert.

Nearly an hour past the scheduled 4:30 p.m. start time, Nelly and a crew that included his long-time bodyguard walked down Delmar Boulevard to the podium on the sidewalk in front of Blueberry Hill, just behind his star.

Business developer and Blueberry Hill owner Joe Edwards, a friend of Nelly's, talked up Nelly and read off his accomplishments into microphones emitting no sound, leading to Nelly's stepping forward to speak on the accomplishments.

"I never thought this was possible," he said amid screams from the crowd.

The action moved inside to the Duck Room, where a capacity crowd awaited the performance, filmed for Vevo Go Shows. Vevo is the Web's largest music video service.

St. Lunatics Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan and City Spud joined Nelly on the Duck Room stage as they dusted off some gems and ignited new material.

"Tippin' in the Club," from Nelly's upcoming "5.0" album, started off the hourlong set, which Nelly said was supposed to be only one or two songs. He said he couldn't keep an appearance before a hometown crowd that short.

"E.I," "Hot in Here," "Air Force Ones," "Shake Ya Tailfeather" and "Ride Wit Me" kept the young crowd hyped, as did his newest single, "Move That Body," and the St. Lunatics' song "Polo." Nelly kept the pace up except for "Just a Dream," a more melodic pop song that officially brought Nelly back to the top.

At one point, Nelly urged Edwards to come onstage and do a song with him, prompting a nervous wave and smile from Edwards.

Performing at Blueberry Hill brought Nelly full circle.

Long before the Grammy Awards, chart-topping singles and No. 1 albums, Nelly performed a preview set of his "Country Grammar" songs at the University City venue.