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 Tommy Bridges on July 21, 2009 at 11:01am: man i dont care about how old someone is if they can spit they can spit, but what seperates the niggas that can spit and make money from the niggas that can spit and dont make money is that some niggas spittin real shit and the broke niggas spittin fake shit, thats why you dont see the less popular rappers like common cryin for money, cause when you keep real shit gone fall through at sometime, and as a fan i dont care how good it sounds if it aint reall dont try and sell me lies cause a nigga aint buyin, and i cant even lie that nigga wayne is fukin trippin, and just cause kanye wears a backpak dont mean he aint real, he neva claim to be a thug as nigga, and despite all the haters that nigga still paid, like i said if you keep it real shit gone be ahite, STOP HATEN.

Comment by Jizzle on July 21, 2009 at 3:50pm: Jeezy is the realist for the gangstas. He put that good trap music in ya ear, plus he hit other important shit like politics. I dont know why people are so gone off of Gucci. His songs be hot, but no content. And if it wasnt for Zaytoven, i dont think Gucci would be as hot as he is. The main reason i listen to gucci is for zaytoven's beats.

Comment by Jizzle on July 21, 2009 at 3:53pm: @Tommy Bridges
it aint so much about how real you spit that makes the bread, cuz i know plenty of niggas that can spit hot shit that is real but they still broke. Hov is a H-U-S-T-L-E-R!!!!!!!!!!!!!! point blank. Even if he wasn't considered one of the best rappers of all time, i bet he would still have cake.

Comment by Jim BillyGz on July 21, 2009 at 5:12pm: I never really paid attention to how rappers are dressing. Even though the skinny jeans thing is NOT working for me at all. When you rapping you have to keep your music authentic and honest. That's why I think Kingdom Come was a highly under rated album. Because it was recorded with the voice of a man in his mid 30s. When some people still wanna hear "Big Pimpin" from this dude. So yeah I feel what he's saying here

Comment by JABBAR M on July 22, 2009 at 10:18am: Feel Jay but still have to throw Jezzy & Nas on the list some where understanding Ye, Cutti, Drake taking the music to another level. But real going to always recongnize real especially w/the struggle that's going on today in many diffrent places not just the US. Everybody holds a diffrent status "Haves & have nots. So you can only preach about what you been through, come up & what's going on currently for the hood or niccas you can relate to. Yeah..alot of rappers today are making that bubble gum nursery rhyme music, I can agree. But still give props where props r due & if you listen to some of the music today alot of them r using the same bars & beats just tweaking it a lil. No hatin or Homo but we all know if Biggie & Pac was still alive today alot of these rappers wouldn't exist or even made it to where they r. That's real talk....so it's all about the paper chasin at the end of the day get it how you get it. Some of the beef shit is all about entertainment supply & demand...I agree w/Jay as getting up in age going on 30-40 or so...yeah a transition has to be made esp when you're in the position of a role model.

Comment by cjizzle on July 22, 2009 at 10:44am: JEEZY BEEN DROPPING HOT MUSIC SINCE THE JUMP NIGGA I AINT TOOK NOT ONE OF HIS CDS OUT OF MY WHIP NIGGA FROM THUG MOTIVATION TO RECCESSION EVERYONE IS BETTER THAN HIS LAST THEY ALL KNOCK IN THERE ON WAY JEAH LETS GET IT

Comment by cjizzle on July 22, 2009 at 10:44am: JEEZY BEEN DROPPING HOT MUSIC SINCE THE JUMP NIGGA I AINT TOOK NOT ONE OF HIS CDS OUT OF MY WHIP NIGGA FROM THUG MOTIVATION TO RECCESSION EVERYONE IS BETTER THAN HIS LAST THEY ALL KNOCK IN THERE ON WAY JEAH LETS GET IT

Comment by Drew on July 22, 2009 at 2:17pm: Tru, if artist aren't makin good music your not gonna sell, especially in times such as now. Money aint flowin like it was and niggas more now than ever are picky about who's album the purchase. Easy mathematics Good Music and Tru Music with some Substance = Success.

Comment by Jerrell on July 23, 2009 at 5:36am: hell yea niggas need to stop underestimatin my nigga Jeezy he up der wid Kayne and Wayne
ant nobody first album gonna go as hard as Jeezy did or Webbie

Comment by Jerrell on July 23, 2009 at 5:38am: and hell yea if yu throw in one of jeezy CD's or Mixtape yu ant gonna skip a song
niggas need to stop sleepin on em

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