In a recent interview, Nelly, the St. Louis rap veteran, made a bold claim about the hip-hop scene in the 2000s. He stated that his era of music was the “toughest era in hip-hop ever,” when he had to compete against big names like DMX, Jay-Z, Eminem, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Ludacris. All of these artists were fighting for the coveted number-one spot.
🗣️ Nelly says 1999-2010 was the ‘toughest era in hip-hop’.
“When I put out songs, I had to go against DMX, JAY-Z, Eminem, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Luda – all of us are fighting for one spot.”
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Nelly‘s perspective is that it was much harder to sell records as a rapper back when he first came out than at any other time in the genre’s history. He recalls when he dropped his debut album, Country Grammar, in June of 2000, selling 235,000 copies in the first week. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. The top spot was taken by Eminem, who, a month earlier, released his highly anticipated sophomore effort, The Marshall Mathers LP. This album sold 1.78 million copies in its first week.
Nelly eventually claimed the top spot, and he and Eminem would duke it out for the rest of the summer before both albums would go diamond. This gives us a glimpse into the competitive nature of the 2000s hip-hop scene.
Nelly was one of these artists. With his signature blend of St. Louis swagger and catchy melodies, he quickly became one of the biggest stars in the world. But Nelly knew that he wasn’t alone at the top. He was surrounded by other hungry artists vying for the same spot.
“It was the toughest era in hip-hop ever,” Nelly said in a recent interview. “When I put out songs, I had to go against DMX, JAY-Z, Eminem, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Luda – all of us are fighting for one spot.”
This competition was fierce, but it also pushed the artists to be their best. They were constantly trying to outdo each other, so the music from this era was some of the best made.
“We were all pushing each other to improve,” Nelly said. “We were all trying to make the best music we could. And I think that’s why the 2000s was such a great era for hip-hop.”
One of the most memorable battles of the 2000s was between Nelly and Jay-Z. The two artists were both at the top of their game and constantly trying to one-up each other. In 2004, Nelly released his hit single “My Place.” The song was a massive success, quickly becoming one of the year’s biggest songs.
But Jay-Z wasn’t about to let Nelly have all the glory. He responded with his hit single, “Dirt Off Your Shoulder.” The song was just as successful as “My Place” and set off a fierce battle between the two artists.
It’s also worth noting that other artists from this era have shared similar sentiments. For instance, DMX had an epic battle rap against Jay-Z in the early 1990s in a Bronx pool hall. Although no clear winner emerged, the event highlighted the intense competition and rivalry that defined the era.
Dame Dash, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, has also explained how some teasing led to a legendary rap battle between JAY-Z and DMX. These battles and rivalries not only shaped the careers of these artists but also had a lasting influence on the hip-hop scene.
The 2000s hip-hop scene was marked by intense competition and epic battles among some of the biggest names in the industry. The fierce competition not only pushed these artists to their creative limits but also shaped the music and culture of the era. Nelly’s reflections provide valuable insights into this era, reminding us of the passion, talent, and competitive spirit that defined the 2000s hip-hop scene.
