In the world of hip-hop, age and the relevance of its influence on lyrical content have become a topic of debate. Lil Wayne, at 41, recently shared his thoughts on André 3000’s candid remarks about feeling too old to rap at 48. The Young Money impresario addressed the issue during a conversation with Tyga on his Young Money Radio Show.
André 3000 had expressed his sentiments in a GQ interview, revealing his struggle with finding meaningful topics for his lyrics at this stage in his life. Lil Wayne responded to André’s comments, stating, “I read a depressing quote or two from someone that I respect a lot in hip-hop and music, period. They were asked, ‘Why you ain’t been doing music?’ and they were like, ‘Man, what am I gonna talk about? I’m in my 40s, like, what am I going to talk about?'”
Contrary to André’s perspective, Lil Wayne asserted, “I feel like I have everything to talk about” in his music. The rapper highlighted a fundamental difference in their approaches to the creative process, emphasizing his ongoing ability to find inspiration and relevant content for his songs.
André 3000 had acknowledged the challenges he faces, stating, “I ain’t got no raps like that.” He explained the struggle of feeling inauthentic when rapping about aspects of his life at 48, such as health concerns like getting a colonoscopy or dealing with deteriorating eyesight.
While Lil Wayne acknowledged André’s struggle, he subtly contrasted it by emphasizing his own creative vigor. “I feel like I have everything to talk about,” Wayne stated, asserting his readiness to continue producing music that resonates with his audience.
The conversation sheds light on the evolving dynamics within the hip-hop genre, where artists grapple with the intersection of age and lyrical content. Both Lil Wayne and André 3000, representing different perspectives, contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the role of age in shaping the narratives of hip-hop artists.