Can A 30-55 Yr Old Rapper/Singer Still Make It In The Industry?

[Solomon Lurke]

Would need to define what that means a little more. I don’t think they could “blow up” per se but with the right strategies they could definitely turn their hobby into a positive stream of income. May only be a few thousand people but it’s possible to monetize that in a successful way. No rapper I knew that didn’t make it never really stops rapping so why not try. I’m just always perplexed by people constantly making music but never trying to release it, but that goes back to getting a better grasp on expectations.

 

[Sad Bunny]

Yes, because all you have to do is become a social media star and then make music.

 

[Shadow King]

If you sound half your age sure...

 

[AyBrehHam Linkin]

all the best mfs are over 30.

most these under 30 artists suck at music

 

[Shadow King]

all the best mfs are over 30.

most these under 30 artists suck at music

But they blew up in their 20s...

 

[AyBrehHam Linkin]

But they blew up in their 20s...

yup up to and around a decade ago when the industry was different

 

[BandOfGypsys]

If you sound half your age sure...

Right if you act and dress younger than your age people probably won't Google you. Somebody 30-33 can look younger especially if they carry themselves that way. Imagine if JID just came out now? Would you believe or even care he was 33? I wouldn't so it's definitely possible.

 

[TripleAgent]

lol @ Griselda and “blowing up”

90% of these "hot" goofies with slave 360 deals would stab their grandmother to live like this

 

[Cuban Pete]

No, not the industry industry.


Indie scene you could eat good tho, but you gotta work like at a Roc Marciano/Freddie Gibbs/Griselda/Curren$y level. Meaning a whole lot of fukking touring and merch.
At best youll probably top out at like a Lupe Fiasco/MF Doom level of fame

Im using mostly underground lyricist as examples btw cause nobody is trying to hear a 35+ drill rapper/drug lord

If you're a singer, same business model but switch out vulgar, Chris Brown/Jacquees RnB-Rap hybrid music for some Neo-Soul/arte nouveau vibes.

If you can foster a cult following made up of , elitist music snobs and weird kids you good

 

[cyndaquil]

There is no “blowing up”.

If you’re 30+ with a wife, kids, a full time job and you’ve NEVER submitted tracks to major DSP’s, pitched your singles to playlist curators, networked/collabed with people in the industry or get booked for shows, you’re just a hobbyist and you’ll never go anywhere or make money off music.

Stick to your day job if you’re not willing to grind and give up everything for a shot.

You a hater

 

[boogers]

i hate this mentality

i hate the way 'success' is measured financially. art is not a contest

whatever happened to just creating and if its good, people will come to it?

why does everything have to be 'viral' and inorganic and FAKE

 

[3rdWorld]

No one makes music anymore for the 35+ Black listener.

 

[Don Snow]

If you nice you nice


most people just get to a certain age and give up with the way the internet is now there’s no point in quitting now just keep building that fan base

 

[Diddly Drogba]

As long as they are willing to partake in backdooria like @RickyDiBiase

 

[Shadow King]

Right if you act and dress younger than your age people probably won't Google you. Somebody 30-33 can look younger especially if they carry themselves that way. Imagine if JID just came out now? Would you believe or even care he was 33? I wouldn't so it's definitely possible.

You wouldn't care because you're probably in his age range. When I said "sound" it's not only literal sound, but content. I dealt with this when I was rapping. On top of realizing the "pay off" was overtaking the love of expression, I realized that at some point my rising age and subject matter combined would be a glass ceiling.

College aged kids ain't really tryna hear a 28-32 y/o being introspective/critical on aspects of the very culture they're all a part of. 2 Chainz with Cole/Kendrick subject matter doesn't blow up at 35.