40 Something Rappers: Rap Stars 40 & Over
A seasoned team of rap vets, still going strong.
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E-40Age: 44 - One of the “Yay” area’s most respected rappers, E-40 is still sick with it after over 20 years. Mr. Forty Water's street anthems, tongue-twisting rhymes and one-of-a-kind “slanguistics” never get old.Photo: Wikicommons
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Snoop Dogg Age: 40 - Snoop Dogg celebrated his 40th birthday last month, joining an exclusive club of seasoned rap stars. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
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Tupac Amaru Shakur Age: 40 - If the late great rap icon were alive he would have celebrated his 40th birthday this past June. (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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Queen LatifahAge: 41 - It takes a queen to conquer the music and movie industries and sashay her way into fashion and cosmetics— just ask Queen Latifah. Since her rap debut in 1989, the New Jersey–bred talent has shown that she can dominate in a man's world. Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup
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Jay-ZAge: 41 - Back when he was in his 30s, the trendsetting wordsmith let us know that 30 was the new 20. Now in his 40s, Hov is the definition of getting bigger and better with age. Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images
Photo By Rob Loud/Getty Images
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LL Cool JAge: 43 - With hits like "Mama Said Knock You Out," "Loungin'," "Rock the Bells," and "I Need Love," Uncle L's track list has flooded the radio, and his lip-licking has dazzled the ladies since the mid 80's. Now the rap star has made the successful jump to televison, starring on the crime series NCIS: Los Angeles. 40-plus and going strong. Photo: By Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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Ice CubeAge: 42 - As a member of N.W.A, he succeeded in showcasing his lyrical precision, and became even more potent as a solo artist. His debut album AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted is without a doubt a hip hop classic.While he continued to write rhymes and hits, Cube also wrote movies and scripts, and his 1995 film Friday became an instant favorite. Now respected as much for his cinematic skills as he is for his rap talents, every day is a good day for Ice Cube. Photo: By Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festiva
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Wu-TangAges: Method Man (40), RZA (41), Raekwon (41), U-God (40), Ghostace Killah (41), GZA (44), Masta Killa (41), Inspectah Deck (40) - Arguably the best rap group of all time, The Wu has influenced everyone from The Notorious B.I.G. to Kanye West, and they remain a major influence in hip hop culture today. The sage veterans still sell out shows and drop relevant music for the masses. Photo: By Kevin Winter/ImageDirect
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KRS-OneAge: 45 - He’s been taking us to school for over 25 years. As the Teacher, KRS-One’s social activism and lyrical talent has gained him irrefutable respect in the hip hop community. He’s given us lesson after lesson, and yet still he takes the time to educate us with his rhymes. Photo: Wikicommons
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Ice-TAge: 53 - Known as one of thr originators of “gangsta rap,” Ice-T earned his stripes serving the streets and detailing Los Angeles' gang life. Early on, his uncensored hardcore rhyming style was criticized for its content, and his street anthem “Cop Killer” stirred controversy for seeming to advocate violence against police officers.Ice-T began his acting career in 1984 in the movie Breakin’ and went on to act in hits like New Jack City. He is now a staple character on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. All that and the 53-year-old still has the energy to keep up with is very sexy wife Coco. Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup
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Slick RickAge: 46 - No one’s “slicker than the guy with the thing on his eye.” Slick Rick’s witty storytelling and unique style have kept him hot for over 20 years. Still la-di-da-di-ing, stealing the show and rocking 50 gold chains, Slick Rick remains a hip hop favorite. Photo: By Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
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ScarfaceAge: 40 - From his leading role with the Geto Boys to his solo career, Scarface has experienced major success. He has influenced various artists such as T.I. and Ludacris as well as various other artists, particularly from the South. His lyrical capabilities are highly respected, appreciated and acknowledged, and he has had a major impact on audiences from across the globe. Scarface remains a loyal contributor to the hip hop industry, and is currently working on a project said to feature contributions from Drake, Eminem and John Legend. Photo: By Brad Barket/PictureGroup
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Too ShortAge: 45 - Rocking the mic since 1983, Too Short is a West Coast rap legend. Short Dawg has appeared in movies and television shows and has rapped alongside icons such as Scarface, Jay-Z, 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. Photo: By Shareif Ziyadat/PictureGroup
Photo By Shareif Ziyadat/PictureGroup r
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Dr. Dre\rAge: 46\r - As one of the most respected rappers and producers in the industry, the D-R-E has been rattling the industry since the mid-‘80s. He got an early taste of entrepreneurship as co-owner of the hip hop powerhouse Death Row Records in 1991, where he recorded one of the most praised rap albums of all time, The Chronic. In ‘96 he established Aftermath Records, and is credited for molding the careers of the legendary rap stars Eminem and 50 Cent.\r \r \r \rPhoto: By Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
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Will SmithAge: 42 - This rapper turned actor exemplifies pure talent. As one of the highest paid actors on the planet, and the only one who can boast starring in a show as fresh as “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Will Smith has a lot to be proud of. His clean and playful rap style birthed classic hits such as “Summertime,” and “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit’ It,” he has a beautiful and talented family, and he is not only an entertainment icon, but the perfect role model. Photo: By Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Photo By Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
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Master PAge: 44 - Master P was an influential force in rap during the late 90's. The music mogul turned his No Limit Records empire into an multimedia powerhouse. P has starred in, directed, and written several films, including I'm 'Bout It and Foolish. He also starred in the family-oriented film, Uncle P. Although he's experienced success in various fields, this rap mogul is best known for making ‘em say uhhhhhh. Photo: By Roger Walsh /Landov
Photo By Roger Walsh /Landov
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Beastie BoysAges: Mike D (45), MCA (46), Ad-Rock (44) - Originally a punk rock trio, The Beastie Boys made a smooth transition to hip hop. Their 1986 debut awarded them international success, but was only the beginning of their winning streak. Nearly 25 years and 22 million record sales later, they remain powerful and influential artists. Having released their album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two in May of 2011, they’ve proven that 40-year-olds can still rock the mic. Photo: By Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
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DiddyAge: 41 - Diddy is one of the richest men in hip hop, but his wealth isn't inherited—he is the epitome of a hustler. Recognized for discovering the Notorious B.I.G. and guiding the early careers of R&B giants Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans and Jodeci, Diddy is a music industry genius.Not only did he start his own record label and build his reputation as a rapper and producer, but he’s shown his skills as a true businessman. With his clothing line Sean Jean and ventures into Broadway, film, television and his incredibly popular vodka, Ciroc, it’s clear that no matter the age, Diddy “can’t stop, won’t stop.” Photo: By Frank Micelotta/MTV/PictureGroup
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DMXAge: 40 - Its been a rough haul for the X Man in his post-rap-stardom days. When times were good, Darkman X was known for his rugged style, his potent rhymes and, of course, his angry growls. He's released eight gold and platinum albums, showcased his talent on the big screen and forced his way onto the list of hip hop legends. Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images
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Fat JoeAge: 40 - Still slinging bars and cooking albums, Joey Crack is one of the longest-lasting rappers in the business. Since his 1993 debut, the newly slimmed-down rhyme slinger dropped 10 street-oriented LPs and is scheduled to release his 11th this summer. Photo: By Vallery Jean/Getty Images
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DJ QuikAge: 41 - He DJs, produces and raps, making him one of the most versatile artists on the list. For almost 20 years, DJ Quik has been making legendary collaborations and composing street-influenced albums. His most recent LP, The Book of David, was released this past April. Photo: By David Livingston/Getty Images
Photo By Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images
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BirdmanAge: 42 - He’s got plenty of money to blow, yet this Cash Money millionaire has always been smart enough to invest in winning talent. From the Hot Boyz to Drake and Nicki Minaj, the Birdman has proven he's a wise man. Photo: By Brad Barket/PictureGroup
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TimbalandAge: 40 - This producer/rapper is one of the most sought-after artists in the industry. His beats have earned him tons of gold and platinum records. Still grabbing mics and crafting classics, everyone knows if Timbaland’s involved, the song‘s a hit. Photo: By Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for BWR Public Relations
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Naughty By NatureAges: Treach (40), Vinnie (40), Kay Gee (41) - This rap trio ignited the charts with hot singles like “O.P.P” and “Hip Hop Hooray.” They released classic albums, sold millions of records, and are acknowledged as legends in hip hop. Photo: By Joe Kohen/Getty Images
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MC HammerAge: 49 - He danced his way to the top of the charts and became one of the top-selling rap artists ever, moving over 50 million records worldwide. Although he’s had financial problems, Hammer continues to involve himself in various aspects of the entertainment industry. From his reality show, which aired on A&E in 2009, to his involvement in management, producing and film, Hammer has proven that even at one year shy of 50, he is too legit to quit. Photo: By Gary Miller/Getty Images for Motorola Xoom
Photo By Photo: Gary Miller/Getty Images for Motorola Xoom
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Doug E. FreshAge: 44 - He’s been rocking shows and pumping up parties since 1984. As the coldest beatboxer, the freshest rapper and coolest dancer, Dougie’s style will never get old. Photo: By Brad Barket/PictureGroup
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A Tribe Called QuestAge: Q-Tip (41), Phife Dawg (40), Ali Shaheed Muhammad (40) - As part of the Native Tongues Posse, this group proved that rappers can be positive, artistic and educational and still experience commercial success. They broadened the approach to rap—fusing elements of jazz, funk and even rock. With classics like “Bonita Applebum,” “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo” and “Check the Rhime,” they’ve become one of the most celebrated hip hop groups in history. Photo: By Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images