Erick Sermon has joined forces with DJ Eddie F and Jarren Benton to commemorate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop by releasing a single titled “This Is Hip-Hop.” As hip-hop faces shifting sales trends and concerns about originality, seasoned rap veterans from the “Golden Era,” appear to have come to the rescue.
A Vow To Keep Hip-Hop Alive
Erick Sermon, a member of the iconic rap group EPMD, recently teamed up with DJ Eddie F and Jarren Benton to release a new single titled “This Is Hip-Hop” to honor the 50th anniversary of the genre.
While hip-hop sales have faced challenges in 2023, with the first rap, song not entering the Billboard Hot 100 chart until September 2023, these O.G. rappers show that their passion for the art form knows no bounds. More recent releases from rap veterans are still making waves in the industry:
Nas
The Queens rap icon recently released his sixth album, Magic 3, on September 14, 2023, in collaboration with star producer Hit-Boy. This album marks the final installment of the Magic series and follows their successful partnership on the Kings Disease trilogy from 2020-2022.
With his legendary debut album Illmatic and a total of 17 studio albums under his belt, Nas continues to captivate listeners with his lyrical prowess.
Fans on Twitter (X) can’t get enough of the album, with one user stating, “Thank you for this album, Magic 3 hasn’t left rotation since it dropped, gets better with each listen.” Magic 3 reached #65 on the Billboard 200 chart, further solidifying Nas’ enduring impact.
Killer Mike
Killer Mike released his sixth studio album, MICHAEL, on June 16, 2023, after an 11-year hiatus from solo projects. Known for his work with Run The Jewels alongside El-P, the “RUN” artist has been a force in the industry for over two decades.
MICHAEL features collaborations with CeeLo Green, Andre 3000, Future, Young Thug, 2 Chainz, Ty Dolla $ign, and more.
Fans on Twitter (X) have hailed the album as the best in hip-hop this year, with one user proclaiming, “If we’re keeping it real, Killer Mike easily has the best album in hip-hop this year.” The album peaked at #58 on the Billboard 200 charts.
Mount Westmore
In an exciting collaboration, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, and Too Short joined forces to form the group Mount Westmore. The four West Coast rap icons, each with over 30 years of experience, released the album SNOOP CUBE 40 $HORT on December 9, 2022.
This project showcased the timeless talent of these legends, reaching #188 on the Billboard 200 chart and reminding fans of their enduring influence on the genre.
Ice Cube
The rap legend and actor from Los Angeles, has announced an upcoming album called Man Down in a September 2023 interview with fellow icon Chuck D on his show, RapStation. This album, set to be Cube’s 11th release and his first since 2018’s Everythang’s Corrupt, has created buzz and anticipation among fans.
With classic albums like AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and Death Certificate under his belt, Ice Cube continues to push boundaries and shape the rap game.
Pastor Troy
The 45-year-old Atlanta rapper recently dropped a new track called “Look Up In The Sky,” featuring Khujo and Smoky Joe. While it’s unclear if this song will be part of an upcoming album, fans of Pastor Troy are eagerly awaiting the possibility.
He is known for hits such as “Vice Versa,” “Are We Cuttin,” and “Ridin Big.” Pastor Troy’s last album release was 2020’s I Said What I Said.
Juicy J On Hip Hop Sales
In light of the decline in hip-hop sales, concerns have been raised about the state of current rap music. Memphis rap legend Juicy J recently spoke out about the genre’s 40% sales decline, signaling a need for reflection and change.
Podcast host Wallo 267 also voiced his concerns, expressing disappointment in rappers prioritizing flashy aesthetics and gimmicks over delivering high-quality music.
Bow Wow Speaks
Amid the challenges of declining hip-hop sales, Bow Wow was another prominent figure to weigh in on the current state of rap music. In June 2023, during an interview on the red carpet of the 2023 BET Awards, the rapper and actor expressed his perspective on contemporary hip-hop, highlighting a perceived lack of originality and substance in the genre.