Hip-hop legends refuse to call it a wrap

Is there a way of growing old gracefully in hip-hop? A music genre that is notoriously age-conscious has always had an interesting relationship with older artists, and in the early 1980s rappers were being told they were too old even before they reached their mid-20s. Fast forward to 2024, and hip-hop has just passed its 50th year, while many of its most well-known acts are hitting a similar age. Eminem is the latest to release new music, and The Death of Slim Shady seems to suggest that he’s finally recognising that his best days are well behind him too. How are the other big stars coping with middle age? Many have moved from rap to Hollywood and while we might get the odd album from Ice T or Ice Cube or Will Smith, they are all much more comfortable growing older on the big screen. Queen Latifah was another rapper turned actor who had even more success on the big screen, while others, such as Jay Z and Dr Dre, simply don’t need to be in the studio as they count their billions. Snoop is still doing his thing, as is 50 Cent, but again, these two are making more...