You could’ve said hov dropped RD when he was just 26 that would be a better example lol

There’s a reason Kanye and Drake still got it jumping in Bordeaux

All these niggas did was reinvent themselves

That’s way different to making it and laying roots which all them had a way to industry even as has beens

U list all these anomalies like there isn’t a huge chip or disadvantage they face as older artists

Bruh the avg person will not achieve these heights especially as they grow older their window to fame closes instantly, idc how tf you frame ts u creating false hope out of the rare exceptions that did make it despite their age

“The most popular rappers for the first time in the genre are all literally early to late 30s”

Yeah NO S*** that’s literally by design too lmaooo

They have way more resources to pour and accessibility than ever before as thriving artists before the streaming/tech boom, that can build future sustainability for years/decades to come

Smaller younger and hungrier artists in turn will have a harder time to create that same dedicated core base since everything is now algorithmic no real connection is being made with the omission of genuine discovery… unless u some plant or got elite industry connects, it’s no wonder Drake, Ye, Kendrick, pretty much running their legacy arcs are still at the top dude

The whales of streaming hold the reigns, you not gon easily get past by lvl 100 vets in the game bruh

“Part of it is due to Covid, part of it is due to labels not having as much narrative power, and the main part of it is that there are so many lanes now”

Exactly everything fragmented now so legacy acts are now more prevalent than ever… thats just side effect of removing some distribution and replacing it with advanced algos, you just describing the aftermath bruh

Newer gen raised on the internet they will burn out faster, competition is fierce rap nowadays is treated more like a get rich quick scheme wasn't as much then when it was a way of survival and telling your story through the art form

no, most of these artists did NOT reinvent themselves

You actually think any of these idiots born after 9/11 can actually make music? The industry fell apart putting the keys in their hands. Literally made hip hop fall out of the #1 spot. Get prepared to see more “uncs” popping up nfs.

title funny as hell lmaoo

Streaming.

Yep.

Hope we all wake up and abandon that medium regardless of the convenience