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30 really is the new 20. That's not just something that Jay-Z said out of insecurity.
Sure, YNRE (Young N****s Run Everything) might be a saying of choice these days, and our list of the 25 best rappers 25 and under certainly proves that they're a talented bunch, but what about the veterans and the artists whose come-up took a bit longer? There are more than a few 30-somethings who own the airwaves and the overall discussion surrounding hip-hop.
Kanye West, Rick Ross, and even relative newbies like Danny Brown are all in their fourth decade, and completely do away with the stigma that slightly older age used to bring to MCs. They're not alone, either. Check out The 30 Best Rappers in Their 30s and see how everyone in the age bracket stacks up.
Written by Eric Diep, Max Goldberg, Brian Josephs, Paul Meara, Lauren Nostro, Brad Wete, and Jordan Zirm
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30. Prodigy
Age: 37
Label: Sony RED
From: New York, NY
Active Since: 1992
Twitter: @PRODIGYMOBBDEEP
Career Highlights: As half of Mobb Deep, he has one certified platinum album and three certified gold albums with Havoc. His solo debut H.N.I.C. was certified gold and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Independent Albums charts. His Return of the Mac collab album with The Alchemist peaked at No. 5 on Billboard Rap Charts.
Prodigy is currently embarking on a new solo lane now that Mobb Deep is on hiatus. He just penned a book, My Infamous Life, and released his third official studio album, H.N.I.C. 3. P’s been known to be the lyrical half in his partnership with Havoc, which translates well in the current era of rap. P has traded bars with new school rappers like Freddie Gibbs and Domo Genesis. He's also had the help of Alchemist to breathe life into his recent output. The H.N.I.C. may be on his own, but he’s still one of the pillars of New York rap.
29. Talib Kweli
Age: 36
Label: Rawkus Records
From: Brooklyn, NY
Active Since: 1995
Twitter: @TalibKweli
Career Highlights: His work with Mos Def as Black Star has gained critical acclaim. His debut solo album Quality peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Charts. His single "Get By" gained positive reviews, and his second album The Beautiful Struggle debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard Top 100.
There's no question that hip-hop has been running in Talib Kweli's blood. You can hear it in his rapid, but always coherent and conscientious flow. He's been behind some of the last two decade's most essential tracks. He may not have had a lot of mainstream hits, but he speaks the truth.
28. Ludacris
Age: 34
Label: Def Jam
From: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 1997
Twitter: @Ludacris
Career Highlights: Co-founded Disturbing the Peace, won a Screen Actors Guild, Critic's Choice Award, and three Grammy awards. Five of his albums have received platinum certification with some receiving it multiple times. He's appeared in a number of films, including Oscar-winner Crash and 2 Fast 2 Furious.
How many rappers can say they've won Grammys and been part of a film that won the Academy Award for best picture? Check Ludacris into that list. From "Southern Hospitality" to "Jingalin," the southern MC has been able to regularly bring the hits.
27. Game
Age: 32
Label: Interscope
From: Compton, CA
Active Since: 2002
Twitter: @thegame
Career Highlights: His debut album The Documentary was certified platinum twice and has sold over five million copies worldwide. His single "Hate It Or Love It" was nominated for two Grammy Awards, and his album Doctor's Advocate was named the best hip-hop album of 2006 by the New York Times.
Compton's rap star rolled over the game nearly a decade ago with his Dr. Dre-produced classic. His journey since has been rough, bouncing from 50 Cent's G-Unit imprint, releasing a dud or two, but then coming through with a solid effort in his latest RED Album. Dude's certainly not finished, though. Expect another full length project from him sooner than later.
26. Pharrell
Age: 39
Label: Interscope
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Active Since: 1992
Twitter: @Pharrell
Career Highlights: As part of the Neptunes, he has earned three Grammy awards. He's the co-founder of Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Clothing clothing brands, has countless production credits, and has been featured on a number of hit singles including Jay-Z's ""I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" and Snoop's "Drop It Like It's Hot." He also released a solo album, In My Mind.
The man will tell you himself: Pharrell is a producer first. Rapping is likely a skill he'd humbly not place among his best. But when he goes for it like he did in January on Rick Ross' "MMG The World is Ours," with that classy swag talk, he's right up there. He's got a nice batch of features under his designer belt. Remember the way he kicked off Snoop's "Drop It Like It's Hot"? Pharrell's for real.
25. Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def)
Age: 38
Label: G.O.O.D. Music
From: Brooklyn, NY
Active Since: 1996
Twitter: @MosDefOfficial
Career Highlights: His debut solo album Black On Both Sides received gold certification and his work with Talib Kweli as Black Star has gained critical acclaim. He's been nominated for six Grammy awards, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe for his role in HBO's Something The Lord Made Me. He's appeared in a number of movies and TV shows, most recently a recurring role on Showtime's Dexter.
When Drake said he's the first artist to sing and rap successfully, many hip-hop heads were saying, "Wait a second. Yasiin Bey has been doing it for more than a decade." Formerly the Mighty Mos Def, Yasiin Bey has been dropping knowledge on fans for years. His work with Rawkus Records (Black on Both Sides, Black Star) is treasured in underground hip-hop, and his most recent work, The Ecstatic, isn't something to sleep on either. We just hope we get to see more music from Yasiin Bey soon.
24. Joe Budden
Age: 31
Label: Shady/Aftermath
From: Jersey City, NJ
Active Since: 2002
Twitter: @JoeBudden
Career Highlights: The track "Pump It Up" off his debut album Joe Budden was nominated for a Grammy in 2003. His debut album with Slaughterhouse peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200, and he signed to Shady Records in 2011 with Slaughterhouse.
While he was feuding with his label in the mid-00s, Budden kept the hip-hop heads happy with his Mood Muzik mixtape series. Those mixtapes still hold up today, and Budden continues to match the quality with hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse.
23. Killer Mike
Age: 37
Label: Grind Time Official
From: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 2000
Twitter: @KillerMikeGTO
Career Highlights: His debut album Monster peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard charts and No. 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart. He has mad guest appearances on tracks, including Bone Crusher's "Never Scared," which peaked at No. 26 on Billboard. He signed to Grand Hustle in 2007.
The "Killer" in Killer Mike ain't just a name. Every time he steps onto the mic, he's ready to assault with a dizzying amount wordplay and unrelenting lyrics (peep "Snappin' and Trappin'" from Stankonia). He's recently peaked with R.A.P Music, a Southern tour de force that's both aggressive and self-aware.
22. Jadakiss
Age: 37
Label: D-Block Records
From: Yonkers, NY
Active Since: 1994
Twitter: @Therealkiss
Career Highlights: His debut solo album Kiss Tha Game Goodbye received gold certification and his second album Kiss of Death received platinum certification, two of his solo albums peaked on the Billboard lists, and his group The Lox received platinum certification in their Money, Power & Respect.
From The Lox to his solo career, Jadakiss has long been one of the most reliable emcees available. Jada is respected by the heads because he's always stuck with his gritty, street-based lyricism as opposed to glossing up to go mainstream. Here's to hearing more from the Kiss of Death.
21. T.I.
Age: 31
Label: Grand Hustle
From: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 2000
Twitter: @Tip
Career Highlights: Founded Grand Hustle Records, five of his seven albums are certified platinum, he has been nominated for 17 Grammy Awards and won three for "What You Know," "My Love," and "Swagga Like Us," and has had a successful acting career in movies including "Takers" and "ATL."
As he's often said, T.I. doesn't intend on rapping for too much long. The Kang's forthcoming Trouble Man is set for a fall release. The singles so far have been lackluster, so he's going back to the drawing board, whipping up some new songs for the effort.
20. Royce Da 5'9"
Age: 35
Label: Shady/Aftermath
From: Detroit, MI
Active Since: 1997
Twitter: @Royceda59
Career Highlights: His debut album Rock City peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Independent chart, as one-half of Bad Meets Evil with Eminem, the Hell: The Sequel debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts, his debut album with Slaughterhouse peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200, and his 2011 album Success Is Certain peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 5 on Rap,
It feels that Royce Da 5'9" has been always at the cusps of mainstream success. He was the violently realistic half of Bad Meets Evil with Eminem in the late 90s-early 00s before the two had a falling out. Then a prison stint off a DUI charge also disrupted his career. But now, Royce is near the top of his game with last year's release of the great Hell: The Sequel as Bad Meets Evil and his affiliation with Slaughterhouse. Look for him to rip the mic on the upcoming welcome to: OUR HOUSE.
19. El-P
Age: 37
Label: Fat Possum Records
From: Brooklyn, NY
Active Since: 1993
Twitter: @therealelp
Career Highlights: Co-founder, owner, and CEO of Definitive Jux record label, his solo debut album Fantastic Damage gained critical acclaim after his years and rise with Company Flow, contributed as producer and guest vocalist on a number of albums for artists including Aesop Rock, Murs, and Atmosphere.
For a time it seemed like El-P was shaping the course of underground hip-hop. When he released the classic Funcrusher Plus with Company Flow, it repainted hip-hop in a dystopian landscape filled with dope production and even doper rhymes. Then, he became one of the leaders of the underground movement when he founded the legendary Def Jux label. Def Jux is long gone and Rawkus Records is no more, but what we have is a dope emcee/producer that's still packing that heat. Cancer 4 Cure is proof.
18. Bun B
Age: 39
Label: Rap-a-Lot
From: Port Arthur, TX
Active Since: 1987
Twitter: @BunBTrillOG
Career Highlights: UGK's fifth studio album Underground Kingz peaked at No. 1 on Billboard, received Grammy nominations for "Int't Players Anthem (I Choose You)" and for verse on Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin', his debut solo album Trill received gold certification and he has made countless guest appearances on major albums.
There's no questioning who's the Trill OG. Bun B has been keeping it real since he was with the deceased Pimp C as UGK. In recent years Bun B has been killing every song he's featured in: Lil Wayne's "Outro," Big K.R.I.T's "Pull Up," Killer Mike's "Big Beast." Now that's trill.
17. Cam'ron
Age: 36
Label: Diplomat/Asylum
From: Harlem, NY
Active Since: 1994
Twitter: @Mr_Camron
Career Highlights: Received gold certification on two of his solo albums and platinum on Come Home With Me", the Diplomats single "Oh Boy" was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2003 and albums Diplomatic Immunity and Diplomatic Immunity 2 received gold certification.
He may not be a top-tier rhymer anymore. But for a while, Mr. Giles and his Harlem charm raps held New York down. As captain of Dipset, he introduced us to Juelz Santana and even let Jim Jones get off with the Bird Gang. Make no mistake about it though, Cam still has some gas in his tank and possibly another "Oh Boy" to give.
16. 50 Cent
Age: 37
Label: Interscope
From: Queens, NY
Active Since: 1996
Twitter: @50Cent
Career Highlights: His debut Get Rich or Die Tryin' is eight times ceritified platinum, he has received 13 Grammy nominations and won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Crack A Bottle" with Eminem and Dr. Dre, he has won thirteen Billboard Music Awards, was first solo artist to have three singles on the Billboard top five in the same week, and founded G-Unit Records in 2003.
Bold and unfathomably confident, 50 Cent tookover the rap game at will. The story of him surviving nine shots in 2000 is one of hip-hop's most recognized stories, and his debut Get Rich or Die Tryin' is a classic. Mr. Jackson didn't stop there and built himself into an entrepreneur, founding G-Unit Records and clothing. 50 Cent is incredibly rich because of his hunger, and with another album waiting to drop his career is far from dead.
15. Fabolous
Age: 34
Label: Desert Storm
From: Brooklyn, NY
Active Since: 1998
Twitter: @myfabolouslife
Career Highlights: His debut Ghetto Fabolous peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum along with his second album Street Dreams, he was nominated for two Grammy's for "Money Goes, Honey Stays" with Jay-Z and "Dip It Low" with Christina Milian, and he's signed to Diddy's Ciroc Management company.
How many guest verses can you count Fabolous on? He has been on his remix game as of late, but let’s not forget that this is the same MC who brought us a slew of hits throughout the ‘90s and ‘00s. The BK rhymeslinger is very well-established, keeping his flows consistent with those signature punchlines that bite. With his next album, Loso's Way 2 on the way, you can expect Fab to bring his R&B hits and street-cred bangers that fans know him for.
14. Juicy J
Age: 37
Label: Taylor Gang/Columbia
From: North Memphis, TN
Active Since: 1990
Twitter: @therealjuicyj
Career Highlights: His debut solo album Chronicles of the Juice Man received gold certification, two Three 6 Mafia albums received gold certification and When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 and Most Known Unknown received platinum certification, and the Three 6 Mafia single "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" won an Academy Award in 2005 for Best Original Song.
Juicy J is having a career resurgence ever since he signed with Taylor Gang in November 2011. Juicy released his first offering, Blue Dream & Lean, as a member of Wiz Khalifa’s crew to underground appeal. Those turnt up anthems like “Bandz A Make Her Dance” and “Zip And A Double Cup” have put Juicy in the conversation with the new school rappers. His resume includes being one half of legendary group Three Six Mafia, which has opened doors to high-profile collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Mac Miller, and A$AP Rocky. Under the Taylor Gang umbrella, Juicy has the resources to make an impact on their compilation album, as well as put out a good solo effort in Stay Trippy.
13. Curren$y
Age: 31
Label: Jet Life Recordings/Warner Bros. Records
From: New Orleans, LA
Active Since: 2000
Twitter: @CurrenSy_Spitta
Career Highlights: Signed with Warner Bros. in 2011 and started imprint Jet Life Records, his latest The Stoned Immaculate debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums list.
Curren$y has come a long way from his false starts at Young Money and No Limit. Opting for more creative control by starting his own label Jet Life Records with Warner Bros., Spitta’s musical output has been unmatched by any rapper since then. Throughout his catalog, fans have praised his countless underground mixtapes and EPs as well as his first major release, The Stoned Immaculate. Curren$y has successfully made a career out of weed raps even if he doesn’t want to be pigeonholed with the label. His fondness for the pleasures of smoking and hazy production continues to make him thrive in his comfort zone.
12. Jay Electronica
Age: 35
Label: Roc Nation
From: New Orleans, LA
Active Since: 2004
Twitter: @JayElectronica
Career Highlights: His Act I: Eternal Sunshine (the pledge) mixtape of continuous music built from the Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind soundtrack received acclaim from music critics, signed to Roc Nation, and his "Exhibit C" single won MTV2's Sucker Free Sunday Instant Classic Award.
The elusive rapper has yet to release his debut album. But trust, when it drop the 'Net will be on fire with critiques about what Jay-Z's secret weapon at Roc Nation has to say. Look out.
11. Big Boi
Age: 37
Label: Def Jam
From: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 1991
Twitter: @BigBoi
Career Highlights: Received six Grammy Awards and sold over 25 million records for work with Andre 3000 as Outkast, his debut solo album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty debuted at No. 3 on Billboard charts and charted Internationally.
For 22 years Daddy Fat Sacks has been doing the ATL proud. He's gained acclaimed for being down-to-earth foil to Andre 3000's space bound ambitions. Recently, Big Boi showed that he was more than capable of carrying on without his partner in 2010's Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, which was pretty damn close to being as good as an OutKast record. The upcoming Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumours should be a treat.
10. Lupe Fiasco
Age: 30
Label: Atlantic
From: Chicago, IL
Active Since: 1999
Twitter: @LupeFiasco
Career Highlights: His debut Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Rap charts and two of his albums are certified gold, he has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards and won Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Daydreamin'" featuring Jill Scott, and runs two clothing lines, Righteous Kung-Fu and Trilly & Truly and has designed sneakers for Reebok.
No other rapper has ever been such an intellect in rap and had as much commercial success as Fiasco. Throughout his career, he's been able drop socially aware rhymes without being over preachy and also make a cut a two fit for the radio as well. It's a rare feat. And he's still in his prime.
9. Young Jeezy
Age: 34
Label: CTE World/Def Jam
From: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 2001
Twitter: @YoungJeezy
Career Highlights: His debut album Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 was certified platinum twice and his following albums The Inspiration and The Recession were also certified platinum, he was nominated for three Grammy Awards for "Put On" and "Lose My Mind" as well as his collab on Kanye's "Amazing," has been nominated for a number of BET Awards and won for his collab on Rihanna's "Hard" and DJ Khaled's "I'm So Hood (Remix)."
It was about three years in the making before Young Jeezy finally released his album TM103: Hustlerz Ambition. Jeezy AKA Da Snowman didn’t seem fazed by his hiatus because he’s still serving crack raps more potent than ever. The CTE leader is firmly placed in hip-hop’s upper echelon—Jay-Z, Kanye West and Rihanna have co-signed him—for being the realest street motivator to come out of the ATL. It shouldn’t be a surprise too that President Obama once shouting out Jeezy at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Jeezy is a seasoned veteran ready to take his successes to new heights.
8. Danny Brown
Age: 31
Label: Fool's Gold
From: Detroit, MI
Active Since: 2003
Twitter: @XDannyXBrownX
Career Highlights: XXX, released on Fool's Gold, received critical acclaim and ranked No. 1 on Spin's hip-hop albums of 2011.
Everybody in this list is talented in their own right, but what makes Danny Brown stand out is that he's just so damn interesting and entertaining. Brown's verses are some of the most rawest, funniest, absurdist, and clever you'll hear today. Plus, he's the go-to guy for interviews.
7. Pusha T
Age: 35
Label: G.O.O.D. Music
From: Norfolk, VA
Active Since: 1992
Twitter: @PUSHA_T
Career Highlights: As part of Clipse, the debut album Lord Willin' was certified gold, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Re-Up Records, signed to G.O.O.D. Music in 2010, dropped his major label debut Fear of God II: Let Us Pray which received a number of positive reviews.
Mr. Thornton's been pushing his share of the weight as half of the Clipse, but now he's a solo stud on Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, which means his future is as bright as his past. So far the alignment has birthed bangers like "New God Flow." Now we're ready for his forthcoming debut album.
6. 2 Chainz
Age: 35
Label: Def Jam
From: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 1997
Twitter: @2Chainz
Career Highlights: Gold sales for "No Lie" Drake-assisted single, T.R.U REALigon, guest verses on "Mercy" and "Beez In The Trap" among others.
2 Chainz finally broke through while he was pretty old in rap years, but he's still running the game like the young guns. Ever since he's changed his name from Tity Boi in 2011, the Atlanta rapper has been a force on today's recent radio hits. His hype is at a high with his G.O.O.D music affiliation as he's getting ready to drop Based on a T.R.U. Story next week.
5. Rick Ross
Age: 36
Label: Maybach Music Group/Def Jam
From: Miami, FL
Active Since: 2000
Twitter: @rickyrozay
Career Highlights: Founded Maybach Music Group, was the first artist signed to Ciroc Entertainment, received gold certification on three of his solo albums, his two singles "Hustlin'" and "The Boss went platinum, and had a guest verse on the Grammy nominated DJ Khaled track "I'm On One."
What does one do when his career is jeopardized by his officer past being revealed? He starts dropping more hits, builds an empire, and becomes The Boss. Since Deeper Than Rap, Rick Ross has rebuilt the rap game in his image and has built a persona that's larger that's bigger than his ridiculously rotund figure. There's no doubt that he'll continue to top himself, because that's just what bosses do.
4. Andre 3000
Age: 37
Label: LaFace Records
From: Atlanta, GA
Active Since: 1993
Twitter: N/A
Career Highlights: Received six Grammy Awards and sold over 25 million records for work with Big Boi as Outkast, has done countless guest verses on major albums, and has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, including an upcoming HBO movie alongside Big Boi.
A lot of fans clamor for a Andre 3000 solo album, but are we honestly even ready for one? Dre will have fans talking for month with just one guest verse, and he will outright melt your soul if he goes above sixteen bars (peep "Sixteen" with Ricky Rozay). His work as Andre 3000 with Big Boi as OutKast puts him undoubtedly as one of the greatest lyricists of all time. We get the feeling we might get overly-obsessed with 3 Stacks' solo album if it ever gets released.
3. Nas
Age: 38
Label: Def Jam
From: Queens, NY
Active Since: 1991
Twitter: @Nas
Career Highlights: Sold eight consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums since 1994, has sold over 13 million albums in U.S., has been nominated for eight Grammy awards since 1997.
Nas Escobar. The Street Prophet. The Don. Nasty Nas. Each one of those nicknames career a significant amount of weight in hip-hop lore. This is because he's done it all from releasing one of the greatest albums that may ever be made (Illmatic, as if you didn't know by now), to going toe-to-toe with the industry's most lethal, to spitting bars through his personal strife. And despite being in the game for 20+ years, Life Is Good showed that he still had a story to tell.
2. Kanye West
Age: 35
Label: G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam
From: Chicago, IL
Active Since: 1996
Twitter: @KanyeWest
Career Highlights: All five solo albums have gone platinum. He's won 18 Grammy awards and sold over 30 million singles.
So what exactly did Yeezy teach us? That a young producer raised in the Midwest can make an album with songs about religion, materialism, and "backpacker stuff" and still go platinum. That an artist can continually re-invent himself and still stay on top of the game. That swag isn't a habit, but a way of life. For more than a decade, Kanye West has continued to prove that he's quite possibly the most influential artist in music, period. Rap notwithstanding. The antics make him interesting, but the music makes him one of the greatest.
1. Eminem
Age: 39
Label: Shady/Interscope
From: Detroit, MI
Active Since: 1992
Twitter: @Eminem
Career Highlights: He's ranked as the best selling artist of the 2000s, has achieved 10 No. 1 albums on Billboard lists, was the first artist to win Best Rap Album for three consecutive LPs, and has won a total of 13 Grammys during his career. He founded Shady Records, and was the first rap artist to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Last decade, Eminem inspired a generation to put up their middle fingers to authority. That's what happens when you have such an enormous amount of talent and charisma on the mic. As the decade's best-selling artist, Shady made some of rap's greatest albums and spit some of the wickedest freestyles ever heard. Even these days, he's still breaking records with songs like "Love The Way You Lie," which spent seven weeks at No.1 on the Hot 100. Even his runner-up on this list, Kanye West, has called Eminem the "biggest" rapper of all-time. 13 years after the Slim Shady LP dropped, it remains a very valid claim.