Good News: Pharrell Williams Is 37
Many things in life, it seems, are a young person’s game: sports, hollywood, music – especially hip-hop. It only takes an artist like Souljah Boy to come along – and be big with the “new” generation but not you – to drive home the point that you’re getting old, homey.
In fact, if like me you grew up listening to music from rap’s golden age (1988-1994) you’re feeling pretty out of the loop right about now. Artists from that time are dead, retired, irrelevant or have moved on to other things. When you throw on your favorite hip-hop radio station and your joints are part of the “Old School Jam”, hip-hop has clearly moved on.
And its tough to keep up sometimes. You have kids, responsibilities and a good ass job (word to ‘Ye). You’re no longer dipping to the record spot to pick up that 12″ (Remember them? Probably not). You aren’t debating the impact of the newest MC or spending the weekend at that joint around the way to hear the latest underground artists ready to blow.
That’s why I was gassed to find out that Billionaire Boys Club member Pharrell Williams turned 37 this week. 37. That means he’s older than me. As is Mr. Shawn Carter and Diddy. So, if an artist like Skateboard P can stay relevant in this rap game, then it gives me some hope that OGs can keep pace as well.
Interestingly, some of the best bloggers are “old heads” who have firsthand knowledge of hip-hop’s beginnings. Those dudes are the most creditable – and rightly so. Context is what’s up. They’ve seen the cycles, the fads and have a firm grasp of this culture’s history.
I may have felt like a grandpa at the Weezy F Baby concert I was at last summer, but at least I know I’m not alone.
Old heads stand up.
Tags: Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams
37…damn I had no clue.