Isn't it crazy how some rappers just refuse to retire? Take Jay Z for example, he retired about a decade ago and that lasted all of no time at all. It's hard to put down something you truly love, and even though rap is a young man's sport, this list is dedicated to those who hardly age.
The AARP is reserved for 50+ year olds, but we're taking that down a notch for the sake of hip hop (no one wants to see an MC in a walker). From the underground rhymes of Tech N9ne to the massive mark Jay Z left (...or 'is leaving?') on the world, age doesn't affect these artists. Some of them have slowed down (KRS-One, Too $hort) and some of them still work like they're young. Who are we to tell them they aren't?
Item #1
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
KRS-One
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
Lawrence Krisna Parker will turn 50 in August. The Bronx-born rapper most recently released the Never Forget EP, but we'll always know him best for cuts like "Sound of da Police."
Too $hort
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
Todd Anthony Shaw is known as a pioneer of the west coast rap sound with a string of late '80s albums. Too $hort is best known for a steady output and has released 16 full-length albums since 1987 (with the last one being in 2012).
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
Bun B is the Trill OG, but he's also 41. However, age is just a number when it doesn't affect your mindset. Even with the death of Pimp C (RIP) and the subsequent demise of UGK, Bun B hasn't let his hip hop career slow down too much. He still puts out great music, and is always capable of killing a feature!
Scarface
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
Another Texan MC in his early 40s is Scarface. While he hasn't put out an album since 2008, the man is still worthy of mention through his contributions to hip hop via songs like this...
Jay Z
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
It's possible no one has had a greater impact on hip hop culture than Jay Z. While he isn't a pioneer of the art, he's certainly done more than his share at spreading the culture around the world and crossing it over in to fashion and sports. While we wait for the follow up to Magna Carta, let's take it back to the old school Jay.
Nas
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
And of course there is Jay Z's former nemesis, Nas. His debut album Illmatic is pretty universally regarded as the greatest hip hop album of all time, and without its release who knows if this site would even exist. (Go ahead and marinate on that for a minute.)
Snoop Dogg
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
Forty-three year old Snoop Dogg has gone through a ton of phases in his career. He was G-funkin' with Dre, rappin' with Master P, getting his Rasta on with Major Lazer, and he's even spinning a DJ set at Detroit's Movement festival. Truly a man that wears many hats, Snoop Dogg will always be best known for his funny character, infatuation with Mary Jane, and classic hip hop cuts like this one:
Eminem
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
Writing about Eminem being old makes me feel old. Who doesn't remember when Marshall Mathers LP came out and you had to hide it from your parents? The forty-two year old MC won his 15th Grammy earlier this year.
Tech N9ne
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
This Kansas City-born MC is currently 43, but his work ethic makes it seem like he's half that age. Since 2010, he has released 5 studio albums and appeared in 6 films. He remains largely in the underground, with an aesthetic that calls for music videos like this...
Slug (Atmosphere)
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
Known as one half of the group Atmosphere, Slug has stayed relevant for 26 years by developing a cult following. His fans love his music, and he continues to tour and release music to appease them quite often.
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
Forty-one year old Twista is known for his super-fast raps. According to Guinness World Records, in 1992 Twista was able to pronounce 598 syllables in 55 seconds. That's pretty damn fast. Last year he released his album Dark Horse, featuring cuts like this one...
AARP: Best Rappers Over 40
The forty-four year old member of the Wu-Tang Clan has been releasing a bunch of music lately. Twelve Reasons to Die in 2013, 36 Seasons a few months ago, and Sour Soul just last month are his most recent efforts, but there are still many projects looming, most notably the DOOMStarks full-length. While the latest Wu-Tang album wasn't exactly hot fire, Ghost still puts out a ton of great music, and for that we're thankful.
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