Shawn Grant: (@SHAWNxGRANT)

The first argument that was offered in support of Nelly was the Diamond status achievement of Nelly and his Country Grammar debut album. While both it and Nellyville were both highly successful in sales, they were both released in a time where sources of music were streamlined to purchasing. That fact is not undermining an achievement but a comparison of the way music was received at the time.

The power and popularity that is currently behind Drake has contributed to figures that are insanely impressive and unmatched by more than a majority of the industry currently. What would occur if Views were released in the same retail climate of 2000? We can’t call it, but to be 4x Platinum, with a lead single of “Hotline Bling” going 5x Platinum, in 2016, alongside of talent like Beyonce, Katy Perry, Rihanna and Kanye West, is far from shabby.

Speaking of “Hotline Bling,” let’s talk singles.

First, “Hotline Bling” was just as popular, and is as much known as “Hot in Herre” was. Catchier, words were easier to grasp, everything. Nelly had hits. From “Country Grammar” to “Grillz,” peaking with the aforementioned “Hot,” and had a good run from 2000 to the middle of the decade, before a dabbling in crossovers of various genres. Since his scene explosion in 2009, Drake has been a consistent hit factory. “Best I Ever Had,” “Over,” “Find Your Love, “Fancy,” “Headlines,” “Started from the Bottom,” Hold On, We’re Going Home,” “Back to Back,” “One Dance,” — do I really need to continue?

Not to mention the tons of features that he has assisted on due to his Midas touch. If Drake is on it, you have a hit. Ask Fetty Wap or iLoveMakonnen. What is DJ Khaled’s “I’m on One” without Drake? Does “Stay Schemin” have the same power without his jabs at Common? Is “Pop That” as great with no Aubrey? “Work,” “For Free,” “F*ckin Problems,” The list is endless.

We are approaching a decade of pure dominance. Keep the band aid, Drake had everybody screaming “YOLO.” Tracks that are featured in Sprite and T-Mobile commercials, films, literally everywhere you look there is Mr. OVO.

Speaking of OVO, if we are comparing labels, the success of PARTYNEXTDOOR alone is more than all the artist who came from Nelly under Derry Ent. That’s without a direct comparison of other artists on both sides. This is coming from someone who religiously sang Murphy Lee’s “What Tha Hook Gon Be?”

Continuing on this trek of who’s bigger, when you step away from music Drake is still dominant. He sits court side at the Toronto Raptors game, not just as a fan, but because they recognized him as a global icon and hired him to be their ambassador!

Drake has the highest grossing hip-hop tour of all-time, knocking off Jay Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne tour and did it in fewer shows, one of the many he headlined.

You look at the cover of GQ, there’s Drake. You look at the nominations of your favorite awards show and Drake’s name is all over it. You turn on Saturday Night Live and he is hosting and performing.

We talking endorsements? Apple Music reportedly threw Drake $19 million for exclusive rights to his music, but there is plenty others. If you have a crush on Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez or Bernice Burgos, he goes and dates them. If Drake is in a beef, he wins it.

It’s time to just give this one up. Nelly had his run and will always be remembered for it. But what Drake is doing right now is legendary.