How these veterans prove that hip-hop has no age limit

When André 3000 released his debut solo album, New Blue Sunin November, hip-hop die-hards were understandably upset: The set lasted 88 minutes, featured the flute in a new age and jazz paradigm, and included zero words.

Now 49, André 3000 has suggested that topics such as a colonoscopy and having his vision checked don't fit the bill of hip-hop. “Sometimes it feels inauthentic to rap,” he said GQ at the time of the album's release, “because I have nothing to talk about that way.”

Less than a month later, Lil Wayne, 41, said Young Money Radio that he was “depressed” to hear 3Stacks' comments because he has “everything to talk about.” Pusha T, 47, agreed, saying Generation of Ideas in live event footage uploaded in December, “It's kind of suffocating for the genre to think like that. As long as you live in hip-hop in all your abilities and as long as you're still sharp with that pen, you've got something to say. We want to hear it.”

Ironically, talk of rappers reaching an expiration date came at the end of an annual celebration of hip-hop's cultural longevity. In 2023, genre pioneers such as DJ Kool Herc, Kurtis Blow and Roxanne Shanté were honored with a celebratory Hip Hop 50 Live event at New York's Yankee Stadium. Meanwhile, arena tours were launched with many icons, including the Masters of the Mic: Hip-Hop 50 tour (featuring Big Daddy Kane and Doug E. Fresh, among others) and LL COOL J's FORCE Live tour ( with Queen Latifah, Rakim and more).

That attitude continued into hip-hop's 51st year, with sold-out shows and buzz-worthy albums spanning decades into artists' careers. “It's been interesting to watch rappers grow and redefine what's acceptable and possible in hip-hop,” says Carl Chery, creative director and head of urban music at Spotify. “Rap has historically been thought of as a young man's game, but now we're seeing rappers have critical and commercial success [into] their 40s”.

In July, Eminem released his much-teased concept album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)led by the Hot 100 top 10 hit “Houdini.” Its debut at the top of the Billboard 200 ended Taylor Swift's record-breaking streak at No. 1 with Department of Tormented Poets. That same week, Common released Pete Rock's production The Auditorium Vol. 1and in August, Rakim released his first album in 15 years GOD's Network (Reb7rth) while Killer Mike delivered Songs for Sinners and Saints. Still ahead, LL COOL J will return with his first album in 11 years THE POWERdue on September 6, and Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre released their joint album, Missionaryfresh from a performance at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Will Smith returned to music with his first Christian/Gospel single, “You Can Make It,” featuring his Fridayy and Sunday Service Choir, which they debuted at the 2024 BET Awards in June.

So how is it? these do rappers stay active while entering their fourth or fifth decade? Common believes it's a matter of understanding the difference between “legacy” and “veteran.” “Sometimes when I hear 'legacy,' it makes me think that people don't see you as still in it,” he says, “that you're still making music that's palatable and sustainable for the era. To me, it's a decent way to say “Man, you've had a good run.” “

Meanwhile, being a veteran, he says, not only hints at but pays respect to the length of time an artist has maintained. “They have experience and some time in the art form,” he says — something Common felt was lacking when he was starting out, as hip-hop was still a relatively new commercial art form. But now, at 52, he believes there's victory in having a passion that burns strong enough to want to keep rapping.

“When we were coming up, we didn't have any examples of people in their 40s and 50s making music,” he observes. “In my 20s, I was thinking, 'Man, how am I going to make it in my 30s?' Who will listen? I must hurry and do this.' And now, in my early 50s, I'm like, “Wow, that's a new lease on life.” “

Chery says he's been paying particular attention to Eminem and Ye, who have both been able to attract a Gen Z audience. ahead,” he says. “I've always envied how young rock listeners pride themselves on knowing Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin. They are students. A lot of younger rap listeners are rejecting older music.” (After Common's release The Auditorium Vol. 1Grammy-winning producer 9th Wonder suggested to X that “adult contemporary hip-hop needs its own category” at the awards show. During this year's ceremony, Killer Mike swept the rap categories.)

While Common could care less about how the music he makes is perceived today, there is one thing he knows he wants: longevity. He admires the career arc of many jazz musicians, recalling seeing pianist Ahmad Jamal, who died in 2023 aged 92, play in Chicago. As Common says, Jamal “played until he left the planet.” He says the same about drummer Roy Haynes, who is 99 — and whom Common saw play just a few years ago.

“If André 3000 decided to rap about a colonoscopy, he's gonna do it like hell,” Common claims, “because this guy rapped about going to Whole Foods and made a whole story out of it.”

This story will appear in the August 31, 2024 issue Bulletin board.