Readers Respond: Is there room for aging rappers in hip-hop culture?

It's common to hear today's rap fans dismiss middle-aged artists as "washed up" old heads with nothing more to offer. While I agree that there are some rappers (young and old) who are better off bagging grocery than trying to "make it rain" in the club, this argument is a knock on the bevy of able veterans who've helped keep hip-hop relevant.

So, here's my question to you: Is there room for aging rappers in hip-hop culture? What should rappers do when they hit their 40s? Put down the mic? Ball till they fall?

Better with age

Well as with wine, rappers get better with age. If you listen to most middle aged rappers today and compare them to how thay sounded 10 yrs ago, you'll find that they make alot of sense now. A good example is Cube. In his most recent album he actually he got lots of advice for the younger generation, which is how it should be. Just like in African Societies, the elderly share their life experiences so that the youth cannot make the same mistakes they did; the case should be similarion hihop.

—Guest Lumumba

Where are the instant classics?

All the young rappers are standing in the shadow of the older ones, that's my opinion. If they made half a reasonable doubt or half an illmatic they would be stepping out of the shadow. I think the older rappers are the reason why the whole rapscene still makes sense. I think they will know their time has passed when there's an instant classic from a younger rapper, but the truth is that no young rapper seems to be capable to produce that kind of albums anymore. No?

—Guest Bob

They built this house!

Is there room? It's a tragedy that this question even has to be asked! The names mentioned in your article along with their predecessors are the reason that this genre has exploded to what it is today. I was just thinking the other day when Michael Jordan was introduced into the basketball hall of fame, that the greats always seem to go by too fast. I know I'd never get tired of seeing M.J. hit the last minute buzzer beater to win the game or his awesome air time. There are so many awesome talents in sports that are rushed into retirement for the next up and coming rookie of the year. We should be so thankful that it doesn't require the ultimate body to be the hip-hop equivalent of Michael Jordan. With hip-hop, we don't have to set age restrictions. As long as the gift is there and they results are the same, age definitely should not matter. We should embrace the fact that it doesn't! Don't rush those who can still perform into retirement! Cherish them!

—Guest Stacy Pearson

Older Rappers Lead the Way

I have a friend who exists on the other side of the hip hop spectrum. I like older rappers and the younger rappers that emulate them, and she likes the rappers that rap about sex and the club who should take a lot of pointers from their elders on how to rap. I respect both equally for what they're able to accomplish off of their talents, but the same respect should be paid to all rappers equally and if not, more to the ones that put rap on the map.

—Guest David