Since its inception, Hip-Hop music has been mostly seen as a young mans game.
The majority of the legends in rap reached major success in their middle to late teens. LL Cool J, Nas, Lil Wayne, Rakim and others were breakout stars while most us were stressing for a prom date. They all represented a new wave to follow.
Emcees like Jay Z, Chuck D, and Eminem are the exception as they saw success in their 20s,although most assumed they were younger than they actually were.
Hip-Hop is 44 years strong now, and for what felt like an eternity, the common rule was out with the old, in with the new. A whole generation of pioneers were left in the dust once Rakim upd the lyricism bar.
Before Eric B and Rakims classic debut, Paid in Full, rappers who flowed like Kurtis Blow ruled the Hip-Hop world. It was all about having fun and moving the crowd. True masters of ceremony they were. With an influx of emcees like Big Daddy Kane, KRS One, and Kool G. Rap, diverse and varied lyricism was now the requirement.
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo “Ill Street Blues” – Bohemia After Dark
NEW Channel! Come Subscribe to Bohemia After Dark’s NEW Channel! We will be unlocking more of the music vault! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsM-iljUTTWr-Tu9-qrXEzA Nathaniel Wilson (born July 20, 1968), better known by his stage name Kool G Rap, is an American hardcore rapper from the Corona section of Queens, New York.
I cant say this was the intention of this new generation but it became the mandate for which us fans graded them. Im guilty as charged. I loved the Fat Boys but I didnt want to hear them anymore after EPMD hit the scene. Growing up in Brooklyn New York as a kid in the 1980s, the culture was always about moving forward, from rhyme skills to fashion to dancing. Rap was no different in this regard.
EPMD ft. LL Cool J – Rampage
album Business as Usual
If there was one lyricist that seemed immune to the old school tag, it was LL. He managed to stay relevant through numerous eras of rap while upgrading his rhyme style and adapting to the new trends.
Sure, his fan base seemed to consist mostly of women but when it was time for him to flex lyrical his prowess , he did it with the best of them. Who else went from battling Kool Moe Dee in the 80s to sparring with Canibus in the 90s, and then trading jabs with Jay-Z in the early 2000s?
Uncle L is the exception to the rule. But soon, he too would be looked at as old news.
The rise of Death Row Records and East Coast rappers like Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, and The Notorious B.I.G would usher in a new flavor of Hip-Hop music. While legends like Run DMC continued to put out new albums, the audience had already moved on for the most part.
To their credit, Run DMC did find success with the Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth assisted Down With the King, but it didnt do much to keep them in the conversation of top emcees.
Run DMC Ft Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – Down With The King
Down With the King 1993 Profile Records
You can already see the common thread here. New emcees, a couple of hot albums, and then bring on the new wave.
Fast forward a couple of years and that dynamic has changed slightly. Those late 70s/ early 80s artists had to either find a new hustle or struggle to be heard with new material that would never measure up to their earlier records. Why is this?
The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen continue to pack stadiums with loyal fans. Their legacy is adored and respected, no matter how old they get. Their fans show it by continuing to support their old and new material.
That same love doesnt resonate for Hip-Hop fans. Ive seen advertisements for shows in smaller venues that carry more than one Hip-Hop legend on the marquee. Could Rakim pack The Apollo today off of the strength of his latest album? Not without a guarantee hed perform all of his classic music.
Eric B. & Rakim – Juice (Know The Ledge)
Music video by Eric B. & Rakim performing Juice (Know The Ledge). (C) 1992 Geffen Records
I believe this is a U.S. issue. Overseas, they tend to cherish these legends way more than we do. When Kool G. Rap returns to the game with a new album in 2017, fans of his past releases balk at the thought.
Most arent even aware that some of these artists are still making music. Its almost if the common thought is, Why would he continue to make music? Rapping seems to be universally recognized as a phase that you go through as a youth until you mature.
My homie Kil said it best, If he was a poet or actor, no one would care about his age.
I guess the old-head rapper tag is meant for emcees not named Nas or Jay -Z. They both continue to garner high anticipation for new music. This comes from older and younger generations. Why them and not somebody like Mc Eiht?
I dont pretend to have the all of the answers, but maybe times are changing. A Tribe Called Quest dropped a new album after 18 years away from the game and the hype was unavoidable.
A Tribe Called Quest – We The People….
“We got it from Here…
Do older emcee have to compromise their legacy and collaborate with the younger generation? Does the younger generation need to reach out and connect their young fan base with the legends? Not necessarily.
I think we need to remove the stigma of an older, seasoned rapper being a washed up rapper. They are artists, ones who express their opinions through poetry, storytelling, and wit. If the message resonates with you, why would you care about the makeup of the messenger?
There is absolutely no reason why we cant continue to support our legends. 44 years of this Hip-Hop thing and we have allowed corporate to dictate what the culture is on a global scale.
Give them flowers while they can still smell em. -Kanye West
Its time we reclaim the culture we created, and honor those that made Hip-Hop the global force it is today.
