Young Forever in Hip-Hop

--- Michael A. Gonzales (Vibe; Fall/Winter Issue 2009; pg. 106; Vibe.com; *The New Vibe Magazine)

... Brooklyn's Prospect Park, Big Daddy Kane, 41, headlined an old-school rap concert that drew close to 7,000 fans ...

B. Brown's Thoughts: How many current hip-hop artist's can headline any kind of show & draw 7,000 fans. I can only name about 5-10 myself. How many can you name? It's very clear that our 30+ year old rappers are the gate keepers of hip-hop right now.


Jay-Z celebrates his 40th birthday this December 4th having marked yet another career milestone. His latest release, THE BLUEPRINT 3, was his 11th No. 1 album-surpassing Elvis Presley as the solo artist with the most chart-topping albums. Respected as a shrewd executive as well as a rapper, Jay-Z has steadily built a rap empire since his debut album REASONABLE DOUBT.

B. Brown's Thoughts: Jay-Z has been a beast at every step of his legendary development and growth becoming the greatest rapper of all-time. Up to two (2) years ago, LL Cool J was my choice as the G.O.A.T. (pun intended), but Jay-Z has now topped my list and he earned it! The records he has set, the trends that he has started & his overall impact on hip-hop is non-debatable. Let me put it like this, at 40 years of age, Jay-Z still runs lyrical circles around these youngsters like it isn't funny, but it is crazy funny because he's 40! And guess what, the contenders for his crown are pushing thirty (30) themselves - T.I. & LUDA. The only real young cat that I can give props to right now for lyrical content is DRAKE.


"These days, the industry is ready to dismiss you at 30-give me a break," says Alicia Keys, 28, who collaborated on "Empire State of Mind" with Jay. "That is the bullshit game to pull the wool over our eyes. When we get older, we should be wiser and better at our craft. We see things in a different light and the music changes for the better, hopefully."


"I don't thing age should have anything to do with quitting rap music," says 36-year-old Bun B. "The only way I would say a person should retire is if the audience is tired of hearing you. If people stop buying your records or going to the shows, then quit. Obviously, Jay-Z doesn't have that problem. He still has the passion for the music and works on his art constantly."


"If I was as successful as Jay-Z and people still appreciated my work, I'd rap until I was in my late 50's," laughs 24-year-old Young Capone. "Personally, I think people should rap as long as they want."


B. Brown's Thoughts: Here it is, create great music and a hip-hop artist can continue to be very relevant at any age. Yeah I agree that hip-hop is a young person's occupation, but I also believe that hip-hop's elder statesmen are better and have proven to have more staying power than the younger crop of hip-hop artists attempting to have long careers. Only time will tell!

One Love!