Old Rappers
Ok, here's a question for yall. Why is it that as rapper's get older, they tend to not be as relevant anymore? I know it may sound like a dumb question, but let me break down my thought process. In the NBA or NFL or any type of sport, they eventually have to retire as they get older because they're bodies begin to wear down. However, as long as a rapper is spittin something nice, why do we care how old they are?
I guess the most perfect example I can give is Rakim. Stemming from his verse on "Classic" with KRS-ONE, Nas, and Kanye West to some other singles I've heard around the internet, it's clear to me that he's still got it. So, why is it we still aren't waiting around for the next Rakim album? Now, originally I would have said that they get less attention because we get tired of them portraying to be something I'm not. (i.e. drug dalers, being broke, thugs, etc.). After two maybe three albums, we know that they're not doing anything they're rapping about anymore. The problem with this theory is that people such as Rakim, KRS, Q-tip, and more never portrayed themselves in this light. Yet, we still tend to write them off after a while.
So, then is the reason that we somehow equate getting older with loosing skill? Or is it that we feel that things are just being regurgitated, no matter what people are talking about? In this rap game, keeping the attention of the audience is very difficult. But, then how can we explain those who tend not fit in any of the categories I just mentioned. These would include Jay-Z, Nas, even Lil Wayne. Now Nas I can somewhat understand, especially with albums like Hip Hop is Dead and Untitled. But, Jay-Z's last album went all the way back to his day of dealing. Was it because we deemed it justifiable since he said he was motivated by a movie, or has Jay-Z just ultimate way of connecting with listeners. You definitely can't fit him in the category of those that are tired of hearing the same tales from him, especially since he was heavily criticized after dropping Kingdom Come, his most "grown-up" album (which I still don't think was given a fair chance). People didn't really gravitate towards the older, more mature Jay-Z. But for some reason, they were still interested in his drug peadling days.
Even Lil Wayne doesn't fit this category for a number of reasons. One, he has been in this for an extremely long time. He dropped his first album when he was 12, yet he is just now reaching his peak. And we can't say that he wasn't really in the spotlight considering the fact that Cash Money was one of the most influential groups at one point in time. Not too mention, that there may not have been any rapper to get so much attention at one time as Lil Wayne has, yet people don't seem to be able to get sick of him. However, he has not changed his style in the 14+ years he's been in the game. From day one it's been about the streets selling dope, drugs, etc. How has he been able to not only keep people's attention, but also gain even more attention.
Maybe the answer is that there is no answer. Some people just have "it" which enables them to move along with the times while others don't. Even those that we consider to be great, some might even argue the best (once again referring to MCs such as Rakim), they don't seem to get the recognition that some may feel they deserve. The only other explanation I can come up with is to say that the same thing that possibly destroyed hip hop as we know it is the same thing that has caused most good MCs to get lost in the shuffle after a while. Consumers nowadays seem to only be concerned with dancing, not paying attention to lyrics and content. Could it be that only a handful of rappers have been able to feed the needs of the customers while still performing at a high level lyrically. So where does that leave all o the older, good MCs? I guess it leaves them in a position of making great music that not many people will hear.
What are your thoughts? Is there a definite answer, am I reading too far into this? Is it a combination of any of these things? Let me know. See yall next time.
Peace.
I guess the most perfect example I can give is Rakim. Stemming from his verse on "Classic" with KRS-ONE, Nas, and Kanye West to some other singles I've heard around the internet, it's clear to me that he's still got it. So, why is it we still aren't waiting around for the next Rakim album? Now, originally I would have said that they get less attention because we get tired of them portraying to be something I'm not. (i.e. drug dalers, being broke, thugs, etc.). After two maybe three albums, we know that they're not doing anything they're rapping about anymore. The problem with this theory is that people such as Rakim, KRS, Q-tip, and more never portrayed themselves in this light. Yet, we still tend to write them off after a while.
So, then is the reason that we somehow equate getting older with loosing skill? Or is it that we feel that things are just being regurgitated, no matter what people are talking about? In this rap game, keeping the attention of the audience is very difficult. But, then how can we explain those who tend not fit in any of the categories I just mentioned. These would include Jay-Z, Nas, even Lil Wayne. Now Nas I can somewhat understand, especially with albums like Hip Hop is Dead and Untitled. But, Jay-Z's last album went all the way back to his day of dealing. Was it because we deemed it justifiable since he said he was motivated by a movie, or has Jay-Z just ultimate way of connecting with listeners. You definitely can't fit him in the category of those that are tired of hearing the same tales from him, especially since he was heavily criticized after dropping Kingdom Come, his most "grown-up" album (which I still don't think was given a fair chance). People didn't really gravitate towards the older, more mature Jay-Z. But for some reason, they were still interested in his drug peadling days.
Even Lil Wayne doesn't fit this category for a number of reasons. One, he has been in this for an extremely long time. He dropped his first album when he was 12, yet he is just now reaching his peak. And we can't say that he wasn't really in the spotlight considering the fact that Cash Money was one of the most influential groups at one point in time. Not too mention, that there may not have been any rapper to get so much attention at one time as Lil Wayne has, yet people don't seem to be able to get sick of him. However, he has not changed his style in the 14+ years he's been in the game. From day one it's been about the streets selling dope, drugs, etc. How has he been able to not only keep people's attention, but also gain even more attention.
Maybe the answer is that there is no answer. Some people just have "it" which enables them to move along with the times while others don't. Even those that we consider to be great, some might even argue the best (once again referring to MCs such as Rakim), they don't seem to get the recognition that some may feel they deserve. The only other explanation I can come up with is to say that the same thing that possibly destroyed hip hop as we know it is the same thing that has caused most good MCs to get lost in the shuffle after a while. Consumers nowadays seem to only be concerned with dancing, not paying attention to lyrics and content. Could it be that only a handful of rappers have been able to feed the needs of the customers while still performing at a high level lyrically. So where does that leave all o the older, good MCs? I guess it leaves them in a position of making great music that not many people will hear.
What are your thoughts? Is there a definite answer, am I reading too far into this? Is it a combination of any of these things? Let me know. See yall next time.
Peace.
I think that rappers who are getting older who want to remain relevant must show some sort of growth in their personality and some sort of style maturation. THis doesnt always mean that their content has to necessarily change...just their approach and style...although lil wayne has been in the game since 12 his style of rapping and his image has somewhat changed since hes been in the game...keeping him interesting and relevant...Jay-Z has rapped about drugs and money but as he has grown his image and style is more business esque like...although hes never been known as rough and tough guy Hov over the years has been starting to embody more of the business man and everything...this is still not to say that he cant rap about drugs and guns and all that but the way he is presenting it is in a different approach....or you can do it like nas and have your whole albums address a certain topic...rappers who continue the same content with the same style end up just becoming played out...their style becomes too boring and usually they seem pathetic because they are playing a young mans image as a man who should be retiring...so yea thas what I think....good post....
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I concur
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