The normally calm and peaceful Andre 3000 had time for his critics today, using a new interview to respond to fellow rap artists who had a problem with his words about MCs rapping over 40.
During a November interview with GQ, the Atlanta rapper said, “I’m 48 years old. And not to say that age is a thing that dictates what you rap about, but in a way it does. And things that happen in my life, like, what are you talking about? ‘I got to go get a colonoscopy.’ What are you rapping about? ‘My eyesight is going bad.’”
Although he wasn’t talking about anyone specifically, many well-known rappers didn’t like his comments. On his Young Money Radio show, Lil Wayne said, “I read a depressing quote or two from someone I respect a lot in music. And they were asked, ‘Why you ain’t been doing music?’ or whatever. And they was like, ‘Man, what I’ma talk about? I’m in my 40s. What am I supposed to talk about?’”
He added, “I was like wow, that was so depressing. I’m like, I have everything to talk about!”
Sheek Louch of The LOX told the hosts on The Breakfast Club, “Nah, so much to talk about, Dre. It’s a lot, man. Just how you word it and put it. Of course, we not talking about being in the hallways or trapping and all that, but it’s a lot. Let us know what you been going through.”
In his recent interview with Crack magazine, the “Aquemini” finally responded to his fellow MCs. “I’ve heard some rappers reply to what I’ve said about age, and I have to ask, ‘What are you rapping about?’” he said. “Some are the best braggadocious rappers in the world, and we love them for that — but it’s so much easier to do that for the rest of your life. I don’t necessarily rap like that. Our formulas are different.”
He continued, “He doesn’t know what it takes for me to do what I do. I don’t know what it takes for him to say the same thing over and over again and still keep it creative. But I love him for doing it.”
It seems that Wayne and Louch may have misinterpreted Dre’s words a little bit. The Outkast legend was not making a general statement when he said, “What are you rapping about?” I think he was referring to his own experience, not necessarily saying that about every rapper over 40.
For Dre it seems that he has to have a certain feeling or inspiration for him to pick up the pen again and rap for a full-length album. Some other artists are happy just rapping to rap. That’s not Dre’s 3 Stacks’ style, and that’s fine.
In the same breath, it’s fine if Wayne and other MCs want to continue with their braggadocious bars. There’s space for everyone in hip-hop to thrive.