Is The Generational Gap Killing Hip-Hop?

Hip-Hip, as a cultural phenomenon, is older than 30 years now. Some of the most commercially relevant and talented rappers are pushing 40 years old (see: Jay-Z and Raekwon) with fans that are young enough to be their children. On the other side, you have older fans that are 40 and up, that witnessed Hip-Hop’s […]

Hip-Hip, as a cultural phenomenon, is older than 30 years now.

Some of the most commercially relevant and talented rappers are pushing 40 years old (see: Jay-Z and Raekwon) with fans that are young enough to be their children. On the other side, you have older fans that are 40 and up, that witnessed Hip-Hop’s growth spurt firsthand, and now compare and contrast their favorites with acts like Lil Wayne, Drake, Kid Cudi and others.

With the demographic widening, is the Hip-Hop generation at odds with itself because of the differences in age? Simply put, that which appeals to a 40-year-old is not likely to appeal to a 17-year-old even though the genre is the same. Hip-Hop has always prided itself on being a unanimous tool for unity, but the paradigm shift may have occurred recently.

AllHipHop’s Social Lounge will discuss this testy topic with some of the brightest minds in Hip-Hop and community. The AllHipHop.com Social Lounge is an opportunity to engage the Hip Hop community in an offline capacity. Hosted and moderated by AllHipHop.com co-founder Chuck Creekmur, this insightful panel discussion will address this “generational gap” and other matters. Panelists will include Immortal Technique, Killer Mike, Raekwon, Ras Baraka, and Saigon. The evening will also include a Q&A session and a closing performance (performer TBA). This event takes place at NJPAC in Newark, NJ on October 17, 2008. Click here to purchase tickets and for additional information.

Now, do you think there is an inter-generational gap that is adversely affecting Hip-Hop music?

DiscussionsView Results

Saigon

Killer Mike

Ras Baraka

Immortal Technique