Nelly says his Era of rap was the toughest : “When I put out songs, I Had To go Against DMX, JAY-Z, Eminem, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Luda."

[Pressure]

Suit had the single My Place, which was #2 on pop charts and the album went triple platinum. Nelly was still huge in 2004. That's a legit 5 year run

Suit arguably his second biggest album hit wise

 

[BiggWebb79]

"The only ones moving units is Em, Pimp Juice, and Us"~Jay-Z

 

[PHamm]

He’s got a point.

Country Grammer is a great album too.

But bro still got ate up by Chingy

He ate KRS too tho

 

[Playaz Eyez]

This is a lie. The weakest era was 05-09, and currently 2020-present. Hip hop was still in a great place 00-05

*06-09. Don’t lump 2005 in with that trash era. 2005 is a GOAT year on par with 1998

 

[L. Deezy]

Crazy cuz his catalogue is big trash next to everyone he named...

That band aid on his face had all the girls in a choke hold it seems

 

[NYChase718]

“Only dudes movin units… Em , pimp juice , and us”

 

[Playaz Eyez]

I don’t get it. None of those dudes besides Cam can spit.

Jim Jones was the weakest at that time but still passable. But you can’t seriously say that Juelz, Hell Rell, JR Writer and various affiliates couldn’t rap. That’s just not true.

 

[NYC Rebel]

Jim Jones was the weakest at that time but still passable. But you can’t seriously say that Juelz, Hell Rell, JR Writer and various affiliates couldn’t rap. That’s just not true.

All them niqqas were trash. We saw them in the Tunnel. They weren't stage worthy.

 

[Caponeflowers]

Nelly has a point, back then you couldn't go viral and your hot song can be knocked off the charts by another hot song by next week , even the one hit wonders back then had legendary songs

 

[Caponeflowers]

nikka u buggin

that mid 90’s era was the pinnacle of hip-hop by a galaxy

In terms of sales and billboard charts ? Nope 00s was tougher, hip hop was global at that point and the south started to have a chokehold, even the one hit wonders back then had hot songs, That song Tipsy by Kwon is a good example

 

[TheMailMan]

you're short changing him, Sweat/Suit still did numbers (not CG/Nellyville numbers, but still successful). so he had about a 4 year run

Just a dream dropped around 09 and that was big. I remember he had a country song on that sweat/suit album that was kinda popular and also he was on a Ross single that was getting played on the radio

 

[JustCKing]

There presence was no longer the gold standard to be a participant. So Im not sure how they were a challenge when skills was no longer a hurdle.

Skills were never a hurdle. Being skilled doesn't always mean the music is good. Eminem is a skilled MC, but he has a lot of music that isn't good.

 

[NYC Rebel]

Skills were never a hurdle. Being skilled doesn't always mean the music is good. Eminem is a skilled MC, but he has a lot of music that isn't good.

saying skills "never" played a role is outright wrong.

 

[get these nets]

Nelly sold through the roof his first time out solo. So his criteria is based on albums sold and chart position, NOT in making the best projects.

Like dudes have pointed out, he was a pop act. Technically he was competing against the other pop acts of that era for chart dominance, not just other rappers.

 

[Rollie Forbes]

He’s got a point.

Country Grammer is a great album too.

But bro still got ate up by Chingy

So did Sidney Starr