The common belief is that “old heads” can’t get down with the newest manifestation(s) of our beloved Hip Hop music. While I may be guilty of occasionally dismissing some of the latest rap songs out of blind convenience, I don’t do it intentionally. & surely not because I’m an “old head,”-stuck in the 90′s-wish a nigga would rap circles around my attention span-type of guy like I used to be. In fact, after thinking about the situation–yeah, I need some hobbies–I think I’ve come up with a logical reason behind the young vs. old conflict of interest.

The so-called “old head,” is actually just that. We were around when rap music was born, shunned & ultimately embraced. Back then, it was less hustle, more identity. Even the geekiest nerdlings could throw on rapper garb & grab a boom box, & swiftly become cool. & don’t get me started about the sideline posers & back seat pontificators, who couldn’t Windmill if their lives depended on it. But, they could break down the difference between popping & breaking faster than Shabba Doo could put on a tiger tooth earring & bandanna. Hip Hop culture & rap music wasn’t so throwaway then. Literally, I know dudes who’d spend summers working on dance moves atop broken down cardboard, just to stay away from the gangs & drugs. Now, rap niggas actually bring the violence & drama from their desolate dwellings to the forefront of the spotlight. Backwards hustling, indeed. Shout out to Juaquin Malphurs.

So, it’s not that we don’t respect the new-new, or purposely shit on young niggas’ plates, it’s just a cultural gap, similar to a father humming Al B. Sure, whilst the son whistles ‘Birthday Sex.” No homo, for the son. Within the last year, the “old school” has lost Apache, & almost Guru, of Gang Starr, due to natural, unstoppable life events. On the other side of that spectrum, Gucci Mane, Lil Weezy & TI have gone on state-funded vacations. So pardon us if we seem arrogant sometimes. & one day, y’all new school cats will be in the same position. You think Wayne is going to be the shit (bitch!) forever? No dice. & don’t count on Drake or Kid Cudi sticking around Hip Hop, in general, as it seems to catch more L’s annually than the L.A. Clippers. Blake Griffin notwithstanding. As I type, the industry is shutting down, & more robot rappers are being manufactured with the intention of continuing the downward spiral that us “old-heads” complain about. Just wait for it.

Music, regardless of how benign or majestic, is the soundtrack to life. As life progresses, the music we surround ourselves with changes. Some shit, I just can’t relate to. Musical maturation, if you will. But, opinions are like assholes, & one monkey don’t stop no show, so onward & upward with the movement.