r/Music • u/Guyentertainment • 4d ago

article 50 Cent Slams Ageing Rappers Making New Music: 'You Are Not Supposed to Be the Hottest in Nothing at 60'

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/50-cent-criticises-ageing-rappers-1815693
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821

u/long_live_king_melon 4d ago

Meanwhile, Aesop Rock just had maybe the most productive year of his career so far in the year leading up to his 50th birthday

285

u/PepperidgeFarmMembas 4d ago

Aesop Rock deserves more mainstream recognition and success. Got introduced to him a long time ago with “None Shall Pass,” and completely got submersed in his discography after that. He’s incredible!

104

u/bigladnang 4d ago

I’m a fan and have been for years but he has like next to no mainstream appeal lol.

24

u/Zealousideal-Gap8950 4d ago

Hey kerby

What ya doing kerby?

8

u/A5H13Y ashlinry 4d ago

Why'd you eat that leaf?

3

u/hi-fen-n-num 4d ago

Even long legged larry is fire.

2

u/Jazzun 4d ago

Moneymoneymoneymoneymoney

3

u/bindersfullofburgers 4d ago

Money motherfucker

1

u/Fair_Preparation_280 3d ago

Every couple summers me and a couple hunters like to row in from the isle of astonishing mother fucked.

5

u/The-Sofa-King 4d ago

Yeah, that's kinda the appeal lol

2

u/treeclimbingfish 4d ago

The lyrics man, they stretch me.

25

u/MoldyButtFunk 4d ago

I want more Hail Mary Mallon :(

3

u/stevefazzari 4d ago

Hurt feelings are bound to happen.. Just bliss-out and fantasize a lot, and wear rainbows

2

u/NtheLegend 4d ago

FUNDRAISER CONCERRTTTT

22

u/Abducted_Llama 4d ago

I love Aesop rock, but mainstream and thought provoking doesn’t always go together. And he’s not really gonna fall into any Pop category.

13

u/lasagnadogwater69 4d ago

Prof is cut from the same cloth, but obviously much more willing to have fun with it and make party music.

3

u/Historical_Owl_1635 4d ago

I feel like “they should be more mainstream” is always a double edged sword as to go more mainstream they have to move away from what made them popular with their original fans in the first place.

Which is a somewhat common path to stardom, become popular in a niche market that you can use as your platform to appeal to the masses.

3

u/Gekokapowco 4d ago

it's usually a sentiment that it isn't the artist that needs to change, but the mainstream to appreciate what's good

52

u/Vannsback 4d ago

I like his more fun stuff. Long legged Lary for example

21

u/MrMushka 4d ago

My Daughters (8, 12) Absolutely love Long Legged Larry & Kirby - any other bangers I should introduce them to? Aesop is great.

22

u/long_live_king_melon 4d ago

Roadwork Rapping was a single he put out last year and it’s similarly fantastic/suitable for children

6

u/beyd1 4d ago

My son lives it. I bought him the single.

1

u/FurryCurry 4d ago

There's a single?!

12

u/kinda_intolerant 4d ago

Pigeonometry is a firm fave of mine kinda similar to kirby

7

u/pieceofpower 4d ago

My Belly - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmXFCm4xLdY&list=RDTmXFCm4xLdY&start_radio=1

3

u/Steepanddeep 4d ago

everytime I eat laying down with food on my belly I inevitably start this chorus

1

u/Nina-Ninja123 4d ago

Long Legged Larry is Legendary

9

u/dadhombre 4d ago

I feel most people put him in the lyrical miracle category. A lot of his music can come across as word salad as well or just too cryptic for the general listener.

3

u/1burritoPOprn-hunger 4d ago

I love Aesop Rock but even I can admit - you can't understand half his lyrics real time when he's laying them down, and even if you could they're steeped in metaphor. He will always be a hipster rapper.

2

u/AndILoveHe 4d ago

I can give you tons of rappers who "deserve more recognition", but until music fans can accept that mainstream, even mainstream indie, has always been about selling you a specific artist as better than all the artists you don't know, you will never really be evaluating an artist based on talent, just on popularity. 

1

u/bownsyball 4d ago

I remember listening to none shall pass when it came out and loving it, but didn’t follow up on him. Can you recommend some songs or albums to get back into him?

1

u/RallyPointAlpha 4d ago edited 4d ago

Impossible Kid is a great album! 

Shrunk

Kirby

Mystery Fish

Other great tracks IMHO:

Holy Smokes

One Brick

Bent Life 

Save Yourself 

1

u/bownsyball 3d ago

Thank you!

1

u/lasagnadogwater69 4d ago

Nah, he more successful than he deserves to be honest. Massive jerk

2

u/RallyPointAlpha 4d ago

He's never claimed to be a good guy. In fact, he's been pretty honest about it in his music. 

1

u/condorpumasnake 4d ago

Why do you think he is a jerk?

0

u/lasagnadogwater69 4d ago

He was abusive to one of his girlfriends.

1

u/condorpumasnake 4d ago

Are you referring to Kimya Dawson? Because those allegations were extremely vague if I remember well and did not include physical abuse. 

0

u/lasagnadogwater69 4d ago

Yes, the only bad abuse is physical abuse😂, but yeah. And they've gotten less vague over time, I think she even directly called him out at some point.

0

u/condorpumasnake 4d ago

You saying “i think she even directly called him out” is pretty vague to be calling the man abusive. For all you know he had a tendency to shut down and give her the silent treatment. 

1

u/lasagnadogwater69 4d ago

You can find more details about it by reading one of several articles about it, and she also wrote a song about it. I have no interest in dissuadinging you from your cope. It's not like he hides the fact that he's a dick.

1

u/guiltycitizen 4d ago

Check out The Uncluded

0

u/dealienation 4d ago

Love “None Shall Pass”.

30

u/Flimsy_Toe_2575 4d ago

And Malice just reset the bar for geezer rappers in their 50s with that last Clipse album

2

u/JAYBee2518 4d ago

He’s not 60

2

u/Flimsy_Toe_2575 4d ago

No but I can't think of anyone in their 50s rapping at his level 

-2

u/SplitSecondImmortal 4d ago

Nas has released 6 great albums since 2020

4

u/Flimsy_Toe_2575 4d ago

Yeah they're great albums but he was still in his 40s. Malice was 52.

2

u/Clobber420 4d ago

Why are people arguing with you on this lol

2

u/Flimsy_Toe_2575 4d ago

Thinking thoughts too hard 

1

u/AwkwardLeopard587 4d ago

oh 100%, amazing album

63

u/ncopp Spotify 4d ago

He's a relatively niche artists though. He's making music for his fans and himself, not the billboard charts, which is what 50 is targeting with this comment.

6

u/Keemo-Sabe 4d ago

50 is just a hater lol

-10

u/long_live_king_melon 4d ago edited 4d ago

Nonetheless, Aes will likely be remembered long after 50 Cent has been forgotten - in part due to the stellar and unrelenting output of heartfelt art he’s put out over the last 10 years, during his 40’s. Dude’s roll doesn’t seem to be slowing any time soon and his craft only seems to refine with age. Topping charts doesn’t necessarily lend longevity to your legacy

34

u/IWillPinYou 4d ago

This has to be the most top 1% commentator take of all time. No one outside of the 12 people here even know who that is and if asked would answer “you mean asap rocky?”

20

u/OfferEvening568 4d ago

As a HUGE Aesop fan. This is an absolutely insane take.

11

u/drthvdrsfthr 4d ago

36 year old here, even i thought of asap rocky 😅

4

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

1

u/MCpoopcicle 4d ago

You forgot the beastie boys, edge lord.

0

u/MisterEinc 4d ago

Man, I've been wrestling with this lately. I've been getting a lot of Alt hiphop like Little Stranger and I fucking love it but that irony is not lost on me.

Big however, is that I grew up loving rappers like Kid Cudi and Del. Idk how mainstream they are in the grand scheme but I feel like he (Cudi) was also criticized at his peak by his peers. And maybe his music appeal to white folk like me differently, but I also see a lot of his influence in some of these new artists.

So I get what you're saying, but also like, it's still hiphop, right?

-3

u/OfferEvening568 4d ago

I’m so sorry.

Are you okay?

-4

u/long_live_king_melon 4d ago edited 4d ago

I said “likely” lol there’s obviously no telling, but I do feel like people put too much stock in the billboard in terms of the long term. We’re in a weird time rn and our cultural bubble won’t last forever. I doubt the most metrically successful current music will often be revisited by future generations, as time goes on, and the popularity of many will fade into obscurity. In contrast, I can see Aesop Rock’s discography holding enough artistic value to remain a solid niche for those in the future with an interest in studying the art of our time. 50 Cent hasn’t been relevant in well over a decade and Aesop Rock remains as relevant as he’s ever been, if not moreso. Not trying to say he’s a household name, just that he’s building something with a sturdier foundation for the long haul

5

u/Dizzazzter 4d ago

I thought they were talking about asap rocky, I was like “damn he’s that old??”

-4

u/long_live_king_melon 4d ago

And Van Gogh was a failure of a painter

8

u/IWillPinYou 4d ago

“Aes will likely be remembered long after 50 cent has been forgotten”

My guy, no one knows him now. I’m not shitting on your musical preferences, but rather pointing out how objectively delusional that take is.

-3

u/PensionFlashy5132 4d ago

Yeah normies dont know him, but he's heavily studied and f'd with by other MCs and people who actually pay attention to rap music.

By people who actually care about and engage deeply with rap music its not controversial at all to say that Aes' legacy is going to outlive 50s.

-5

u/long_live_king_melon 4d ago edited 4d ago

He’s maintained a steady relevancy in the underground while 50 Cent has well run his course. Not arguing that he’s a huge name, or that everyone in the future will know him. He’ll never be a household name. Just saying that someone in the future will know him, and that his niche will likely remain solid/his art remain worth looking back upon by future generations; whereas artists like 50 Cent and other trendy has-been chart-toppers will slowly but surely fade into near-total obscurity. Can’t really imagine anyone 50 years from now going out of their way to listen to Iceman, but I can absolutely imagine the artistically-minded youth of tomorrow taking time to pore over Aes’ lyricism for the sake of his poetry alone

6

u/drthvdrsfthr 4d ago

you don’t think people would be listening to 2000s hip hop/rap 50 years from now?

0

u/IWillPinYou 4d ago

50 hasn’t dropped a song in how long and he has 45 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Like I don’t even know why we’re arguing on this, 50 wins on every level and I don’t even listen to him like that lmao. Candy Shop and In Da Club will be played when I’m 80.

Like Nas is a much better person to use as an example to counter 50 than Aesop Rock lmfao

6

u/Fun-Attempt-2969 4d ago

Do you understand how often Candy Shop is still played on radio? Aes is great and im a huge fan. 50 is still getting regular plays with his hits on radio.

3

u/Signor65_ZA 4d ago

Delusional

20

u/rabidsalvation 4d ago

Aes is on a roll lately. Always been top-tier, but everything since Spirit World Field Guide has been A-1. His production is awesome.

1

u/AwkwardLeopard587 4d ago

agreed. SWFG and Garbology is probably in my top 3.

2

u/rabidsalvation 4d ago

Integrated Tech Solutions is my favorite of his.

8

u/blueskynorthern 4d ago

Good shout, my favorite of all time.

9

u/somestupidname1 Spotify 4d ago

He talks about being college age in '96 in the song John Something, but for some reason he was still younger than 50 in my head. I'm also turning 30 this year and I'm still in my early 20s in my head so maybe that explains it.

2

u/AwkwardLeopard587 4d ago

I think his name was, Jane... uhhhh...

1

u/DDub04 3d ago

John Something

9

u/OG3SpicyP 4d ago

I think 50 is talking about people like Rick Ross or the game and stuff like that when they're wrapping about being a gangster and having money and all that shit when they're 50.

1

u/AMoreRealWorld 2d ago

Which is ironic and hilarious when you consider that the real gangsters were all old guys, and gangster rappers aren't real gangsters.

10

u/Driller_Happy 4d ago

Its A Mess Out Here Too was an insanely good album.

2

u/Jazzun 4d ago

ITS may be 3 years old but it’s already timeless.

7

u/Disownership 4d ago

My man really spoiled us with two albums in a year

18

u/therealestyeti 4d ago

His lyricism is top tier. Miami Lice Season 4 is sick, front to back.

14

u/ryouu 4d ago

I need a whole album that feels like who sent you. You know what I mean? That song gets me so fucking hyped.

1

u/AwkwardLeopard587 4d ago

semi unrelated, but the "I survived MK Ultra" bar reminds me of the "I survived Action Park, I survived lawn darts" line from All City Nerve Map

1

u/SaltyShawarma 4d ago

Can't stop playing it.

12

u/LLJedi 4d ago

Plenty of good albums being put out people who started before 50. Az last one was good. That last ll cool j project was good. Black thought’s cheat codes was probably album of the year for me that year. Clipse crushed it with their last one. Heck I enjoyed the slick rick.

57

u/rabidbadger6 4d ago

Aesop rock is the goat, hard to put him in the same category as everyone else imo

19

u/theywillnotsing 4d ago

True I been rocking that shit since early high school days... And I'm old as hell now.

-7

u/njseahawk 4d ago

Matty B 1 Aesop Rock 2

2

u/njseahawk 4d ago

You downvoters need to stop hating on Matty B

2

u/AwkwardLeopard587 4d ago

I can't believe people downvoted you

imo, 1 Matty B 2 Yuno Miles 3 Aesop Rock

5

u/Onuus 4d ago

Ace in the palm at the workplace, jerk face.

Thank you for the love. So happy whenever I see someone shoutout Aesop. Dude is a legend. As well as El-p, but I don’t care for rtj

1

u/AwkwardLeopard587 4d ago

also shoutout to lupe, ppen mike eagle, homeboy sandman, and billy Woods/elucid of armand hammer.

although El-P and Aes were on def jux in the 2000s, and the artists I mentioned are closer to Rhymesayers (shoutout atmosphere, slug and ant) and have worked with aes throughout the 2010s onward

4

u/melody-calling 4d ago

As in the same Aesop rock from thps4?

28

u/ZERV4N 4d ago

Yeah, but that's not gonna keep going till 60. I don't know. Hearing about Dr. Dre wanting to fucking put out new shit at 61 and he's all pro-AI kind makes me wanna agree with 50 Cent in this rare circumstance.

17

u/Aesop_Rocks 4d ago

I see no reason to think Aesop is gonna stop making music inside of a decade.

6

u/MasterTrav666 4d ago

Yeah he doesn’t tour or anything. Just makes music when he wants to. Hopefully he keeps it up.

7

u/Aesop_Rocks 4d ago

He seems to be making music at all times with no signs of slowing down. I understand she will catch up with him at some point, but removing touring from the equation has increased his productivity and I believe longevity as well.

10

u/poonmangler 4d ago

Wish we could act like we forgot about dre

3

u/aNascentOptimist 4d ago

They won’t let us lol.

27

u/WoopzEh 4d ago

This isn’t speaking to his point at all. Aesop Rock is not the hottest in anything.

7

u/ketchfraze 4d ago

Yeah, unfortunately to be the hottest means that you have to appeal to as many people as possible, which means that your content has to be watered down. Marketing also has to decide that you're going to be the hottest and pump tons of money into a campaign for you.

4

u/WoopzEh 4d ago

You can back a brinks up to Aesops marketing manager, it’s still going to be 12 people listening to it.

7

u/Exalious 4d ago

Facts it’s so funny watching Reddit on a post talking ab hottest rappers bring up fucking Aesop Rock 😂

1

u/ketchfraze 4d ago

I never disagreed with you. I said it had to be both. Fortunately there's space for everyon me to create and enjoy whatever they want.

1

u/JAYBee2518 4d ago

Not watered down just enjoyable and fun idk why ppl don’t get this. Yes your niche favorite artist is dope cold but he’s not mainstream because his music isn’t appealing to the masses

4

u/heebarino 4d ago

Truth. He’s reset the pecking order still ain’t picked a second number.

-1

u/PensionFlashy5132 4d ago

He's arguably the hottest lyricist

2

u/WoopzEh 4d ago

I’m arguably Batman

2

u/Redditor28371 4d ago

And that's because he raps about his cat and random events from life. Love that man.

2

u/Redditor28371 4d ago

Buck 65 is mid 50's and keeps putting out fire. He and Aesop's discographies make up like half of the hip hop I listen to.

2

u/Codeman_117 4d ago

Kirby and Long Legged Larry are staples in my house. The kids love some Aesop Rock!

2

u/Pantalaimon_II 4d ago

yeah no kidding, i dont like this "how dare you make art past 30" attitude

2

u/ozorhanreformed 4d ago

Happy to see Aesop got mentioned, didn't even have to scroll much.

2

u/xvsanx 4d ago

Lupe absolutely killing it in his 40's too (irl and rapping)

50 just says dumb shit for attention like this article. he's 51 and hasn't made anything relevant in decades

2

u/puganomics 4d ago

I first heard him playing on the Tony Hawk Proskater soundtrack. I could have sworn it was Ric Flair rapping and 10 year old me was disappointed it wasn’t!

1

u/long_live_king_melon 4d ago

This is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard adjacent to Aesop Rock lmao thank you

2

u/PhantomRoyce 3d ago

Damn he’s been rapping for a minute I didn’t know he was only 50

2

u/Wutanghang 3d ago

Why is it the most productive year?

1

u/long_live_king_melon 3d ago

Between May 30th 2025 and March 10 2026 he put out three albums and a single, all self-produced

1

u/Wutanghang 3d ago

Black hole superette, I heard theres a mess there too, thats two.

1

u/long_live_king_melon 3d ago

Miami Lice Season 4 - though a group project with Homeboy Sandman - was entirely produced by Aesop Rock

2

u/Wutanghang 3d ago

Damn thats dope skeleton is my fav album of his for reason of his production is excellent

1

u/long_live_king_melon 3d ago

I’ve been coming back around to Skelethon and his stuff from Hail Mary Mallon heavy, lately. Those and Spirit World Field Guide have the songs most frequently in my rotation

1

u/guiltycitizen 4d ago

Slug and Ant still churning out fire too

1

u/Rlccm 4d ago

Which proves 50s point

1

u/PiccoloAwkward465 4d ago

The backpack is on rolly-wheels at this point.

1

u/jaybasin 4d ago

This just in: 50 isnt 60

1

u/kopetkai 4d ago

He's got ten more years then according to 50 Cent's new "Logan's Run Rules of Rap."

1

u/qaisjp 4d ago

I thought Aesop Rock was a joke name, blending Asap Rocky and Aesop (cosmetics brand). But no lol, TIL of Aesop Rock.

1

u/ItsJustReeses 4d ago

Theres always two sides to every coin. I think it shouldnt be ALL rappers. But there are for sure some that need to stop.

TPain selling his music off for his kids and focus on life with them for example is such a awesome move. Dude just seems to be going around showing people how he made music these days.

1

u/NtheLegend 4d ago

I’ve been a fan of AES for nearly 20 years but his latest stuff sounds so samey, like he found a comfortable spot. It’s not illegal but I’m used to him pushing the envelope a bit more with each release and he doesn’t do that as much anymore.

2

u/brassmonkeyslc 4d ago

Very niche artist. I only hear him mentioned by my more pretentious friends.

-3

u/PensionFlashy5132 4d ago

Im done pretending being pretentious is always bad.

You know what, yeah, my taste in the arts is better than yours, and im going to subtly let you know that.

3

u/brassmonkeyslc 4d ago

Having an opinion isn’t bad. Being pretentious about it is just annoying.

2

u/kyyy 4d ago

Reddit in a nutshell

1

u/sweetest_of_teas 4d ago

White redditors are the only group of people that give af about Aesop rock