Today, many people believe hip-hop is as good as it has ever been. However, just because a song has loud, hard-hitting beats and corny lyrics doesn’t mean that song is great hip-hop or even mediocre hip-hop. I believe, no, I know that the “golden age” of hip-hop has come and gone.
The golden age wasn’t so long ago — it’s still somewhat close in the rearview mirror. Before getting into exactly when the golden age of hip-hop was, let’s first take a look at the origins of spitting rhymes.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, hip-hop originated in the early 1970s in the New York neighborhood of South Bronx. At the time, the South Bronx was struggling economically, and rap, the music to come out of the hip-hop lifestyle, became a way of expressing those struggles. Along with hip-hop came break dancing and graffiti art, but that’s a story for another time.
So, now that we know a little more about the origins of the hip-hop genre, let’s take a look at when it's been at its best. Many people argue hip-hop saw its glory days in the ‘90s. With names like Tupac, NAS, and Andre 3000, the rhymes were arguably as good as they have ever been. Tupac stood out as a Harlem native rapper who incorporated the struggles of growing up in a rough neighborhood and his love and respect for his mom into his songs.
As impressive as all the ‘90s rappers are, I still don’t believe it was the best rap has ever been. That time came from about 2002 to 2014.
Before you jump to conclusions, here is my reasoning: the best rap tandem of all time was at its peak. Eminem and 50 Cent were two of the best in the game, and their collaborations were scarily good. Eminem signed 50 Cent in 2002, and a legend was born.
As someone who had been on the streets since age 12, 50 Cent gave an inside look to what rap is all about. He was the ultimate storyteller. Eminem, from Detroit, also gave a look at his struggle with his personal life as well as having some of the most hard-hitting rhymes of all time.
Following this, the next best rap duo came along when Lil Wayne signed Drake. Drake, being one of the most successful rappers of all time, showed his talent early in 2009 when he released “So Far Gone.” Drake is someone that you can listen to any time, no matter how you’re feeling. Drake has songs for when you are sad and thinking about calling your ex as well as music you can put on and vibe to.
On the other hand, Lil Wayne shows his talent with incredibly creative lines and hard hitting beats. Lil Wayne brings witty and sometimes funny lines to the table.
Following this, you have Kid Cudi, J Cole and Kendrick Lamar. All three are talented storytellers. Both J Cole and Kendrick have some beats that hit hard, but also have songs that you can really relate to. Kid Cudi lets you know you aren’t the only one that is questioning if everything is okay. The rhymes and flow of these rappers is second to none.
The trap music and hard-hitting beats of today are not better than the lyrical genius and focus of the music from years ago. Today’s beats are fun and energetic, but for me these recent additions to the genre don’t dilute the fact that hip-hop is all about the beats of yesterday.
Today’s music may be more entertaining to blast through the stereo, but its messages and lyrics don’t compare to the golden age of hip-hop. The beats of today are enjoyable, but the music from the past era is filled with lyrics that any listener can relate to.
Rap started as a way for people to talk about their struggles. It’s an outlet and escape. The MCs of the time between 2002-2014 presented the most talent the game has ever seen. The rap of this time not only is clever and witty, but also provides listeners with an escape.
Jamison White is a sports reporter for The Beacon. He can be reached at whitej20@up.edu
