Chuck D never shies away from expressing his thoughts on the current state of rap, and he has now called attention to his fellow veterans who have failed to mature over the years.
On Monday (June 3), the Public Enemy MC took to social media and shared his opinions on artists who have become too comfortable with the same subject matter despite years of experience.
“If you over 40 and spitting meaningless dark energy in RAP you have to really think about what matters in the HipHop foundation that birthed your chance at it,” he wrote.
“I didn’t say cease and desist. I said T H I N k ……. A over 40 mind should have a better ability to KNOW self and surroundings better. The ‘green’ days is greying…”
The following day, the New Yorker uploaded another post to promote his upcoming book RAPilates: Body and Mind Conditioning in the Digital Age, which is due July 1.
In the caption, he wrote: “Im a rap head . Im in my 64th year… hiphop is over 50 years. Different ages have different appeals and elder folk money ain’t stupid. My listening ear doesn’t wanna hear the same street tale because thats for a new kid just finding themselves & the world.
“Over 40 its not crazy to hear a MC warn us on bad food , rent mortgage gas prices, kids ( yeah the 20 year old MCs have them too) pharmaceuticals , prostate and instead of battling MCs how about fuckin up cancer and diabetes!?!?! Theres a whole world of topics for MCs and over 40 money is good just check your local CVS Walgreens line … and stop believing the fantasy lies as much.”
I didn’t say cease and desist. I said T H I N k ……. A over 40 mind should have a better ability to KNOW self and surroundings better. The ‘green’ days is greying…
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) June 4, 2024
Im a rap head . Im in my 64th year… hiphop is over 50 years. Different ages have different appeals and elder folk money ain’t stupid. My listening ear doesn’t wanna hear the same street tale because thats for a new kid just finding themselves & the world. Over 40 its not crazy… pic.twitter.com/rN1s7Dkpyu
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) June 4, 2024
Aside from being critical of those who have been in the game for a while, Chuck D also makes it a point to prop up his peers with the same vigor.
Last month, the Hip Hop legend shortlisted some of the acts he would be honored to induct into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
In early May, Cypress Hill’s B-Real took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the following prompt: “Which 10 artists or group would you without hesitation induct into the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame?”
Chuck, whose group Public Enemy were among the earliest Hip Hop inductees in the Rock Hall, responded soon after with his top picks, singling out several Hip Hop pioneers: Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Ice-T, KRS-One, Eric B. & Rakim, Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah and DJ Hollywood.
Displaying his diverse taste in music, the Long Island native also listed rock band Deep Purple (who were inducted in 2016) and heavy metal icons Iron Maiden in his list.
