Photo Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images

 

Fans (and critics) of hip hop have debated this question time and time again. What is considered too old to rap?  With many of our popular artists, whom have spent years cultivating their careers, you learn that they’ve come up in age but their talent is still there. So, what constitutes being “too old”?  Do record labels determine this? Does fans and record sales determine this? Or does just a bunch of new school haters (who don’t have much else to do) determine this?

 

Okay. Let’s take a look at the ages of several rappers who has maintained a good level of success…

 

Jay-Z – age 44

Eminem – age 40

Busta Rhymes – age 40

Ice Cube – age 43

Dr. Dre – age 47  (damn! didn’t know he was pushing 50)

Snoop Dogg – age 41

Nas – age 39

Ludacris – age 35

2 Chainz – age 36

50 Cent – age 37

Birdman – age 43

Lil Kim – age 38

 

I personally wanted to look at a few of these “old” artists and assess their popularity and talent to come up with my own opinion. From looking at this list (and I know there are others that are missing), each of these individuals undeniably still has a buzz. Each of them have created a brand that has (in some cases) diversified their portfolios to include other business endeavours (i.e. record lables, clothing lines, sports team franchises, movies, audio products, etc).  Their popularity spands out of the northern hemisphere into international countries giving them more power and abilities to sell records. Even when younger artists (i.e. Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, T.I., Drake, etc) seems to be overpowering the market with top charting records, product endorsements, and sold out concerts, the older guys are maintaining their place.

 

So, what is too old to rap? I believe when you get older your lifestyle changes. Most of the listees are married and have kids.  I’m sure their everyday lives don’t consist of throwing ones at big booty strippers. It don’t involve chilling in the streets bussing shots.  But apparently their musical content will make you believe otherwise. I’m not saying all of these artists talk about those things. But, when you hop on as a “feature” on other artists’ songs who may be living that type of lifestyle, you can’t help but think that their lifes aren’t that much different. At the end of the day it’s all about record sales, right?!  But, come on!

 

When content doesn’t change as you get older, I think that’s when your talent becomes questionable.  As a huge lover of music, especially hip hop music, I want to hear and feel that growth.  I want to be able to relate to the music. No, I don’t think there should be an age cap on artistic expression. Everyone should live their lives as they see fit. They should continue to live out their dreams. Artists should not let the talent fade away. Talent is a God-given thing. Rappers shouldn’t waste it.  But, rap artist step up and plainly put “act your age”.  Allow your lyrical content to show that you are in a different mental space.  No one want to hear you still talking about the same stuff you did 10-20 years ago. We simply don’t believe you.

 

 

Readers, how do  you feel? Do you think their should be an age limit on rap artists?