Jay-Z Addresses The Age-Factor, "I Can't Relate To A 15 Yr. Old"

Despite his reputation as one of the masters of the music industry -- or maybe because of it -- Jay-Z still finds himself a target for rappers looking for beefs. One longtime naysayer is the Game, who recently attempted to call out Jay-Z during a show overseas. "I hear it all the time -- 'Yo, he should let the young guys, the new generation of guys come in.' But you don't become the front-runner in music because someone lets you. You have to claim your shoes," Jay-Z says. "If you grow up listening to hip-hop, you love hip-hop and that's the end of it. But if you're a 30-year-old rapper still trying to make music like you're 15, then you're making it narrow. At my age, I can't relate to a 15-year-old. I deal with mature and relevant topics for my age group -- it has to all be based on true emotions. The more diversity and the more mature we make hip-hop, the bigger the net you cast."

Jay-Z criticizes some new artists for passing the buck and blaming others for their lack of popularity, but he acknowledges that more successful rappers need to serve as mentors to help develop the genre.

"Kanye is really the father to the next generation -- he's from the school of Q-Tip, and now Drake and Kid Cudi are from the school of 'Ye," he says. "And, when you look at Kanye, you have to look at Lil Wayne. I think they're like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James."

Full Story at-- Reuters.com

Comment by VietnamDaDoughboy on July 20, 2009 at 12:08pm: THAT'S BULLSHIT! SO WHO'S HERE FOR THE GANGSTERS! CAUSE ALL THE NIGGAS HE NAMED WEARS BACKPACKS AND TIGHT CLOTHES!

Comment by kindy fatal on July 20, 2009 at 12:24pm: jay das real kayne is music he's the boss in the game right now

Comment by cam on July 20, 2009 at 1:57pm: im 16 & i feel hov just like im a old man...
thats still my dude...
nas to & jeezy to

Comment by ramirus terry on July 20, 2009 at 3:36pm: fuck game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by stylinonyall@aol.com on July 20, 2009 at 3:52pm: fuck game jay's da best

Comment by Anthony O'Neil on July 20, 2009 at 4:01pm: lmao man said backpacks, ill give kanye his props for making good hip hop music despite that last cd which is not that bad but lil wayne is making a rock and roll cd i feel he is about the pop now and not hip hop so fuck him. And im sick of every nigga not putting jeezy up there idk about jay z but last year jeezy had the best fucking cd out and i felt ludacris was under that.

Comment by Johny Rich on July 20, 2009 at 5:12pm: FUCK FUCK FUCK,

Comment by K.B on July 20, 2009 at 10:40pm: why da fuck every 1 talkin bout wayne like he new or some bitches

Comment by ashley tyner on July 21, 2009 at 2:31am: I agree wit jay... when ur a rapper your doin more then makin money your inspiring and automatically becoming a role model. If you aint got nothin real to say at 30 years old an still rappin bout bullshit then you got a serious problem. And jeezy is way too raw I feel he gets slept on... he never rap about bullshit always keep it 100. He's one of the bosses in the game too... he's better then wayne to me honestly .. Cuz he's a real nigga... waynes pants are gettin too tight for me.

Comment by Ashley on July 21, 2009 at 3:16am: Jay is right as always i mean the age factor is old all dese damn rappers is pushing towards 30 come on now its lame and old