Hip-hop's Golden Era class at 50+

Amongst the many fantastic music releases that we were privy to in 2024, one of the year's most exciting elements was the release of new music from definitive hip-hop icons: LL Cool J's dream pairing with Q-Tip as producer delivered his fourteenth studio album in 'The FORCE' while Common partnered with Pete Rock for Part 1 of 'The Auditorium' and Snoop Dogg reconnected with Dr Dre to release 'Missionary'.

At a time where celebrations for hip-hop having turned 50 were rampant, it's interesting to consider these releases in line with comments made by Andre 3000 to GQ in November 2023 about rapping as a 48 year old man.  The OutKast rapper would famously go on to confirm sadly that he has no inclination to ever rap again and that he would actually feel "inauthentic" in doing so, even jokily citing colonoscopies and bad eyesight as potential topics.

His somewhat startling musical shift saw the revered Atlanta icon step away from being a flag waver for pioneering Southern hip-hop in favour of embracing improvised jazz - by way of the flute - to release 'New Blue Sun' in 2024.

As we said at the top of the article - despite our unwavering love, respect and admiration for Andre 3000 in whichever way he chooses to express himself - 2024 proved that rappers over 50 can still create genuine and authentic hip-hop with projects worthy of standing alongside the albums most synonymous with their respective catalogues.

In celebration of that fact, we've picked out five awesome tracks from last year that - if you were a 90s Golden Era listener - you really shouldn't let pass you by.

1. 'Outta Da Blue' by Snoop Dogg featuring Dr Dre & Alus
If somebody would've said ten years ago that Snoop Dogg's twentieth studio album would be released via Death Row Records and be produced by Dr Dre, they'd be laughed out of the room.  And that's not even taking into account the fact that Snoop now OWNS Death Row, which in of itself is mind blowing but in 2022, The Dogfather did in fact purchase the label along with the majority of its back catalogue.  Initially reticent to associate with the label again, Snoop has said that Dre required convincing to jump on board but in the end blessed the project as a producer for every track as well as providing guest verses for two songs.

​2. 'When the Sun Shines Again' by Common & Pete Rock featuring Posdnuos
With only a small amount of collaborations prior to this full-length album - including Common's guest verse on Pete Rock's debut solo outing 'Soul Survivor' (1998) - the hip-hop heavyweights combine for a full-length release in 'The Auditorium'.  Further billed as 'Volume 1', the inevitable follow-up should have listeners excited considering how well-received the first instalment has been even generating crossover success with both Common and Rock as featured guests on Kelly Clarkson's show.  With a handful of guests featured - including Jennifer Hudson, Bilal, PJ and De La's Pos - the album finds each in fine form with Common's introspective and socially-conscious perspectives finding perfect accompaniment with Rock's soulful soundscapes.

3. 'Murdergram Deux' by LL Cool J featuring Eminem
At the age of 56 - 57 at the time of this writing - the iconic LL Cool J has undeniably released his best album in years with 'The FORCE'.  Produced almost entirely by Q-Tip - a collaboration that would have been just as exciting twenty years ago - LL has humbly declared that the project encouraged him to learn how to rap again.  With nearly four years for the project to see the light of day - reportedly it nearly didn't - the album serves as a fantastic re-introduction for LL Cool J who would no doubt be invigorated for further release.  Boasting an all-star cast including Nas, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe and Rick Ross, it's the Eminem-assisted 'Murdergram Deux' that is the rightful scene-stealer here.

4. 'To Rock the Mic' by MC Lyte
Serving as the ninth studio album by the iconic MC Lyte, '1 of 1' is a project that may have perhaps slipped under the radar a little but it's an excellent project wholly deserving of your attention.  Holding the remarkable distinction of being the first female rapper to release a full-length album, MC Lyte's 'Lyte as a Rock' was released in 1988 and solidified her place within the pantheon of hip-hop's legacy.  Another entry on the list that showcases some excellent guest spots including Ghostface, Q-Tip, Raheem DeVaughn and STEVIE WONDER, the album marks Lyte's nine years since her previous album so fingers crossed it won't be another nine years until this album finds its successor.

5. 'Don't You Miss' by Redman
With the original 'Muddy Waters' initially unveiled in 1996, the sequel we didn't know we needed has hit the shelves nearly 30 years later.  'Muddy Waters Too' finds Redman rapping with the same wit and vigour as he did in the 90s generating some fantastic tracks as a result.  With guests including Method Man, Faith Evans and KRS-One, 'Muddy Waters Too' comes in at a whopping 32 tracks and was initially scheduled for release in 2013, if you can believe it, but seeing as this did eventually happen, hope would appear to remain for 'Blackout! 3' with Method Man.