Carmelo Anthony, The Kid Mero, and Method Man discussed Nelly's recent comments about the early 2000s being the toughest era of hip hop on "The Shop." Nelly claimed that from 1999 to 2010 was the hardest era in hip hop due to the fierce competition among artists. The trio discussed Nelly's statement, with Method Man acknowledging that Nelly was ruling the charts during that time.

They also debated whether the early 2000s were indeed the toughest era, considering the strong competition in the '90s and '80s as well. Despite differing opinions, they recognized the significance of each era in shaping hip hop culture. The conversation also veered into other topics such as regional influences, fashion trends, and corporate control in the music industry.