Why It’s No Longer Too Late For Rappers in Their 30s

[JayStarwind]

Or you can simply make music that sounds good that strikes a chord with a lot of people. I’m 33, and I’ve recently enjoyed Blocboy JB and Craig G’s albums, who are 24 and 47. If you make music 100% for kids, they won’t be their as the time passes.

If you're expecting the kids to mature, it'd only be right if the artists did too.

 

[Finesse]

You missed the groundwork and buzz that they built up in theit teens and early to mid 20s. They didn't just wake up at 30 and get on.

I never said that.

However if a nikka start at 30 he could pop before 40 its not impossible at all.

He'd be right there with all the other late 30s and up rappers running around in the game right now.

Pretty sure alot of them Griselda nikkas started taking rap serious for real in their late 20s n early 30s

 

[Air Nikes N Hats]

Griselda is a good example.....

WSG (38), Conway (38), & Benny (34)......Didn't really get Griselda off the ground till around 2016, and here they are. It can happen. They found a formula that worked for them, got on their grind and its now they are really starting to reap the rewards.

 

[AntLive1981]

Go home and be a family man

SONIC BOOM!!!!!

 

[Marlo Barksdale]

I never said that.

However if a nikka start at 30 he could pop before 40 its not impossible at all.

He'd be right there with all the other late 30s and up rappers running around in the game right now.

Pretty sure alot of them Griselda nikkas started taking rap serious for real in their late 20s n early 30s

If you start at 30 you can't expect to do numbers outside of a niche audience. All these late-30s rappers have had lots of fans and success for 10+ years.

Even Benny the Butcher has been releasing mixtapes since he was in his mid-20s.

Griselda is a good example.....

WSG (38), Conway (38), & Benny (34)......Didn't really get Griselda off the ground till around 2016, and here they are. It can happen. They found a formula that worked for them, got on their grind and its now they are really starting to reap the rewards.

That's called an outlier. Plus, they don't do record sales numbers and get by more for their marketing and merchandise. Griselda is barely doing 20k first week even with Roc Nation and Shady backing them.

If you're 30+, you best to have some good side-hustles besides rap (social media, merchandise, acting, etc). There is a definite ceiling as far as record sales, unless you're basically rapping like a youngin and hiding your age.

Yes, in music you can be any age to do it. But in the "music business," you have to be a good investment and the profit just isn't big with a rapper who is just starting or hasn't made any major connections at 30+. You're high-risk low reward

 

[Magnum P.I.M.P.]

Griselda is a good example.....

WSG (38), Conway (38), & Benny (34)......Didn't really get Griselda off the ground till around 2016, and here they are. It can happen. They found a formula that worked for them, got on their grind and its now they are really starting to reap the rewards.

Exactly. And that’s just one of many examples.

 

[010101]

there is a lane outside pop music thanks to the internet

hip-hop/rap is a sport that tests the mental

if you are gifted in terms of intelligence you will be getting better as long as you are living & your music will reflect that

*

 

[_genocidecutter_]

Yo Gotti has been poppin since he was in HS. 2 Chainz was on Def Jam albums at age 23. The rest had major attention and major deals by their mid-20s. You're not just finna come out the blue at 30+ years. That's a complete outlier.

Study the background of rappers. You missed the groundwork and buzz that they built up in theit teens and early to mid 20s. They didn't just wake up at 30 and get on.

 

[Air Nikes N Hats]

If you start at 30 you can't expect to do numbers outside of a niche audience. All these late-30s rappers have had lots of fans and success for 10+ years.

Even Benny the Butcher has been releasing mixtapes since he was in his mid-20s.



That's called an outlier. Plus, they don't do record sales numbers and get by more for their marketing and merchandise. Griselda is barely doing 20k first week even with Roc Nation and Shady backing them.

If you're 30+, you best to have some good side-hustles besides rap (social media, merchandise, acting, etc). There is a definite ceiling as far as record sales, unless you're basically rapping like a youngin and hiding your age.

Yes, in music you can be any age to do it. But in the "music business," you have to be a good investment and the profit just isn't big with a rapper who is just starting or hasn't made any major connections at 30+. You're high-risk low reward

Years ago, getting on as young as possible was important because the demographics would say that people who purchase the most music do fall in that age 14 to 20-something demographic. That same demographic was also more likely to buy/listen from acts in their own respective age groups. Major labels were also the only way to make it in the business. If you weren't popping right away/struggling to get a buzz.....you were lucky if you got maybe 2 albums before you were dropped by the major. Without an alternative those acts left the music business.

Its completely different now. Sure a lot of guys started out say in their early/mid 20s, but if it didn't work out with a major they now had/have options. Going the indie route, self distribution, streaming platforms, etc is there for those who want to continue to grind.....and lot of those dudes who wouldn't have been successful years ago now have a chance to be so. Sure a lot of these acts now will never be household superstars.....but they have the freedom to make music they want, stick to their niche, and in the grand scheme of business be profitable.

 

[Marlo Barksdale]

Years ago, getting on as young as possible was important because the demographics would say that people who purchase the most music do fall in that age 14 to 20-something demographic. That same demographic was also more likely to buy/listen from acts in their own respective age groups. Major labels were also the only way to make it in the business. If you weren't popping right away/struggling to get a buzz.....you were lucky if you got maybe 2 albums before you were dropped by the major. Without an alternative those acts left the music business.

Its completely different now. Sure a lot of guys started out say in their early/mid 20s, but if it didn't work out with a major they now had/have options. Going the indie route, self distribution, streaming platforms, etc is there for those who want to continue to grind.....and lot of those dudes who wouldn't have been successful years ago now have a chance to be so. Sure a lot of these acts now will never be household superstars.....but they have the freedom to make music they want, stick to their niche, and in the grand scheme of business be profitable.

Look a person can do whatever they want with their time and money. We're just saying that the odds are greatly against it, it's a severe uphill battle and financially it's a huge business risk.

Like I said, it's like a 30 year old YMCA player who didn't even play pro or college ball trying to make it to the NBA and stay on a roster. Their best out is to focus more on training others and to look at bball as a hobby personally.

 

[Air Nikes N Hats]

Look a person can do whatever they want with their time and money. We're just saying that the odds are greatly against it, it's a severe uphill battle and financially it's a huge business risk.

Like I said, it's like a 30 year old YMCA player who didn't even play pro or college ball trying to make it to the NBA and stay on a roster. Their best out is to focus more on training others and to look at bball as a hobby personally.

The YMCA player is a good analogy. All valid points, although I disagree with the financial risk. With software and streaming platforms available, its feasible for someone to build themselves a small recording setup in their home, make music, and get it out there. Best case they make some money, worst case its an investment of time & money into a hobby they genuinely enjoy.

A few years back I purchased a few pieces of gear (didn't spend much) with the intention of producing EDM & Hip-Hop music. I was always a creative type and looking for something to pour that energy into (I lost interest in the music aspect, and since than have pursued photography heavily as a hobby and occasional side hustle).....a lot of success has to do with sheer will, and acts that got on/blew up later (30 and up) did so just off that will so props to them for making it happen.

 

[banner34]

Nice