Nelly has compared Amy Winehouse's struggles with drugs to the public battles of other legendary musicians, including Michael Jackson.

The rapper, who said he wished the singer the best, was answering questions posed to him from Myspace users. He said people don't understand that Winehouse “has to go through what she's going through” to produce her music.

“Music is what it is because she goes through what she goes through.”

Nelly went on to say that every musician has a “weak link,” we wonder what his might be?

“You look at Jimi Hendrix, you look at Michael Jackson, these are the greats, this is what happens,” he said.

“Marvin Gaye had, you know they covered it up a little bit for Marvin but Marvin had his battles. You think he sung the national anthem with those sunglasses on because it was a fashion statement? You know what I'm saying, like no, he was gone.”

Wino is hardly able to even appear onstage without slurring her way through every song, so if what Nelly's saying is true, her next album is going to be a belter!