Jul

08

Is Jay-Z too Old for Hip Hop?

Filed Under (Hip Hop News) by FuNkwoRm on 08-07-2009

Tagged Under : ,

JAYZ

There’s been a lot of talk about Jay-Z’s age lately. Ridicule about him being 40 or close to it. Wise cracks from other rappers in the game about Hov being a senior citizen, and that it’s time for him to step down and let some new blood in.

There are several reasons why this is some of the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard, and I’m not just saying it because I’m in my mid 30′s. The first obvious reason is… Why should he step down if he’s still the most relevant hip hop artist in the game? What these haters can’t get over is the fact that he’s better than they are. A whole lot better. Their attack on his age only makes them look worse. It means that you’re getting your ass served to you by a 40 year dude.

I’ll give you an example. Michael Jordan suited back up to play for the Washington Wizards at age 38. In spite of the fact that he didn’t have a great supporting cast, and fellow NBA players and the media called him too old to play, he still managed to put 40 points on the board on a given night until he retired at 40. My point is that if your game is tighter, then this age issue is irrelevant.

It’s funny to see these chumps hanging on Jigga’s every word, because the very mention of their name in a song or freestyle makes them relevant again. Whaa…Whaa…..Did that fool just say my name? Was that a diss?? LOL!! Now that’s some power for yo’ ass right there.

Here’s another reason why this argument is so stupid and career suicidal. Let’s say you go to work for a corporation. Young, fresh face motherfucker straight out of college, and you successfully convince your boss that people over 40 should be fired from the company. Some day after you have a wife, kids and a fat mortgage, you’re gonna need that job security when you get past 39. You should pray that there’s possibly a sustainable music career for you at any age, if you still have the talent.

This is another major flaw in the culture that defined my youth, and the only genre of music that this backwards thinking seems to exist. The Rolling Stones are in their 60′s and still selling out football stadiums. This is even unheard of in R&B. The truth is, Jay-Z has been consistently putting out good hip hop for years and for that he deserves some respect. If he’d died early, everyone would be dick-riding. This diet of fast food hip hop and lack of originality is hurting the art. See I’m convinced that we had not seen the biggest wave of auto-tune rap before Jay’s D.O.A. There was a lot more of that shit coming down the pike. I know because was getting it sent to me from artists who want to be posted on this blog (no disrespect). I hope Jay stopped the hemorrhaging at least a little.

We don’t need more young emcees. We need more good ones. My love for the art keeps me producing artists and running this blog. And I’m further inspired by every artist that makes it on these pages.

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(7) Comments
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  • kasey

    this is why i never expect anything less from you…you always give us more of what is needed…anyone who is making a contribution in any circle or realm, deserves to be in that spot — no matter what his or her age may be. it amazes me how some younger people fail to remember they will age just like everyone else. in fact, yesterday i had a disrespectful 18 year old (whom i’d never met in my life) call me an ignorant old goat and a dusty bitch because i asked her not to address me as a “nigga”…i’d love to see her again in about 20 years or so to check if she’s changed her tune by then. disrespect of elders by the youngsters goes way beyond hip hop…i find it incredibly sad.

  • Javier

    Good article. I’m of two minds on this one: there are a lot of artists that “stay too long at the dance” (Madonna, George Michael, Ron Isley, LL Cool J just to name a few), continuing to make records long after they’ve peaked creatively and commercially. If Jay-Z can continue to crank out quality hits and sell records, I say go for it: age alone shouldn’t be a factor. But I think that at some point he’s going to hit a wall (how many 50 year-old rappers do you see going on world tour and sporting bling?), at which point he’ll have to decide for himself whether his skills are best devoted to grooming the next generation of artists instead of being in the thick of things. Especially if he and B decide to start a family…

  • Curtiss King

    Couldn’t have put it any better myself. Much props for putting things into perspective for the young minded heads. Like Jamie Foxx said, MJ used sell out stadiums, and most rappers nowadays couldn’t sell out a bathroom at Carl’s JR. lol. Keep doing you tho fam, your words inspire as well.

  • kingKayser

    The problem with Jay and why other rappers dislike him is because he’s been blacklisting any potential competition. I respects jay’s abilities but the fact remains he black listed a lot of people and I do mean a lotttttt of people. I say one person critiques you and ok that person is hating, two people critique you and its hate, but when the numbers reach dozens of ppl saying the same thing an alarm goes off.

    Again we have to separate Jay-z the businessman from the musician. Death of auto tune was alright but it wasn’t anything spectacular. He deserves to continue to have a career but i’d appreciate him not putting out subpar verses over crazy hot beats and people saying the god is back..the Jay-z of ten years ago lost a step over those ten years. Is he better than the youngsters..definitely. I just think hip hop stopped grooming talent hence why Jay-z is still top dog. Great line @hip hop fast food diet

  • http://www.gardnercasting.tv Meleika E’non Gardner

    Jay-z is definitely not too old! He’s a classic that people will always want to see and hear. He’s like fine wine. So many rappers sound like what’s already out, but still trying to break into the industry like they are so special. It’s just sad. It’s rare to come across an artist who is unique and who will be more than a one hit wonder. He … Read Moreprobably hasn’t come across that artist who he feels is worth his time yet to really invest in and pass the torch. Kanye West is a great artist that he respects. Kanye is different and brought something special to the table. Too many rappers are just copy-cats who are trying to get a break. You just wanna jump off a cliff listening to demo and after demo of the same ole ish! Jay-z is fine wine with a good business head on his shoulders to keep himself alive. You gotta respect him…always.

  • http://myspace.com/krisskross559 ChristopherUnknown

    Wow. People are just angry because they suck and are losing to a 40 year old. Stop talking trash and start trying to get better a rapping in the meantime check out my raps and tell me what you think.

  • Deveon

    BRETT FAVRE!