Jay-Z the same age as these 80s rappers. Why didn't Jay make it in the 80s?

[Malik]

Jay-Z: December 4th, 1969
LL Cool J: January 14th, 1968
Big Daddy Kane: September 10th, 1968
Rakim: January 28th, 1968
Kool G. Rap: July 20th, 1968

I knew Jay was old but, seeing everything lined puts things in perspective Jay was probably in high school with these nikkas


When Jay came out, people lumped him in with the new class (Nas, Big, Pac, Snoop) when in reality, he was as old as these 80s nikkas. He shouldve made it in the 80s. Instead he got held back to the 90s and had to watch nikkas younger than him come out before him. How was you Big's lil nikka and you three years older than him

Spoiler

Yea, he's super rich now. Thought I'd get that out before the stans said it.

 

[Jayson_bourn]

He was pretty successful in the streets, probably saw no reason to rap.

 

[TLR Is Mental Poison]

Who gives a shyt

Those rappers are prob saying "damn how can I get my Euro Hova on?????? I need that Budweiser money!!!!!"

 

[mortuus est]

LOL what kind of silly question is this, jay was still young but was under jaz plus jay was put on a few features. id say dame was one of the key ingredients to making him big in the game

 

[DontEemTry]

I like how you tried to flip his W to an L. You should be askin yourself where them 80's nikkas are today.

Those ame nikkas wish they had Jay's career.

 

[William Bassington]

cause he made it big emulating Biggie's style, who didnt emerge until the mid 90's...thats not taking anything away from Jay tho

 

[Mr Uncle Leroy]

very tough business, Jay been trying to get on for approx 9 years

 

[mortuus est]

and it was better for jay to come out late amyway, what he got big around 25 or 26 right? shyt thats more shyt you can rap about at this age then at 18 i guess

 

[NYC Rebel]

cause he made it big emulating Biggie's style, who didnt emerge until the mid 90's...thats not taking anything away from Jay tho

I heard Jay since 92 around the same time my peoples were pushing Big.

They sounded NOTHING alike.

 

[Bolzmark]

I like how you tried to flip his W to an L. You should be askin yourself where them 80's nikkas are today.

Those ame nikkas wish they had Jay's career.

This. And if you listen to his records, you hear him say he wasnt really focused on a rap career early on. He was into "other ventures" to make money.

Ironically, a late start to his career was a blessing in disguise. Rap went through changes in the early 90's where almost all of a sudden the legends of the 80's werent in high demand anymore. Particularly when it switched from the "hardcore" street rappers to the ATCQ, De La, Brand Nubian etc, especially as it pertained to NY rappers. When it went back to the hardcore dudes back on top, it was Wu, Nas, BIG and Jay. Nobody was really checkin for the 80's cats.

 

[Malik]

I like how you tried to flip his W to an L. You should be askin yourself where them 80's nikkas are today.

Those ame nikkas wish they had Jay's career.

I knew you was gonna say that playboi. Check the spoiler

Jay-Z was like the 25 year old rookie in Madden...

 

[Malik]

This. And if you listen to his records, you hear him say he wasnt really focused on a rap career early on. He was into "other ventures" to make money.

Ironically, a late start to his career was a blessing in disguise. Rap went through changes in the early 90's where almost all of a sudden the legends of the 80's werent in high demand anymore. Particularly when it switched from the "hardcore" street rappers to the ATCQ, De La, Brand Nubian etc, especially as it pertained to NY rappers. When it went back to the hardcore dudes back on top, it was Wu, Nas, BIG and Jay. Nobody was really checkin for the 80's cats.

That is true. I also think it helped that he got to "sit on the bench" and watch alot of nikkas come & go. You learn alot of what not to do vs. making it into the industry straight outta high school.

I still didn't know he was only a year younger than Rakim & Kane tho

 

[hex]

I heard Jay since 92 around the same time my peoples were pushing Big.

They sounded NOTHING alike.

Jay didn't make it big in '92 breh.

Fred.

 

[Harry B]

His chain was heavier and his car was nicer

He saw his mans Jaz get one of the biggest contracts (half a million bucks) to sell his soul and then saw his nikkas get more in the streets


Nah but really, Jay wasn't that nice.
His style wasn't very appealing, his way in got knocked out (Jaz) and the streets was just a lot more appealing after getting fukked, self-esteem issues, fast money addiction etc. A lot of street dudes are very hardheaded, and it took years to convince him that he was wasting his talent.

 

[NYC Rebel]

Jay didn't make it big in '92 breh.

Fred.

And when he did make it big, he STILL didn't sound anything like BIG.

What the hell? Their styles are in no way the same.