Reason Debates 3: Kay. vs Treize117 (debate is over Treize 117 wins)

5th Letter

This is the Reason Debates 3, just like the previous debates these are here to stimulate healthy debates in various subjects about hip hop. This debate will remain open for 24 hours, after that time the debate will be over, each poster must post one at a time, each poster is only allowed a total of 3 tries. for example poster A goes first then poster b goes second, then poster A, poster B. No editing once your work is submitted that's it, if you are caught you will lose a vote. There will be a 450 word limit. Also for the lurkers please do not post until after the debate is over. As for voting each poster participating in the Reason Debates 3 is encouraged to vote in the debates as well. When voting please give a detailed reason why you're voting for whoever you're voting for, also vote for whoever made the better argument and NOT THE SIDE YOU AGREE WITH, I will use discretion if I see a vote based on personal opinion and not count that vote. Anyway good luck to both debaters. Whichever debater can go first it doesn't matter.

Should age matter in hip hop

Kay.- Yes age matters

Treize117- No age doesn't matter

Treize117

Hip hop is normally viewed as a young man's game. It was built on aggressive, youthful, rebellious music. From NWA to Public enemy, during the years which saw it rise onto the mainstream music scene and become not just a noteworthy but outrightly popular genre, it fed on the raw, unadulterated energy of young black men with a voice. To this day that is the standard...Sure, the music has changed, vastly even, but the fundamental concepts are the same: struggle, not succumbing to societal norms, and perhaps simply but no less endearingly, how fly you are. Indeed, the very nature of these values seems to appeal to a youthful spirit. However, like anything, hip hop has changed. It's grown. It encompasses much more now than it did before. And it should.

Hip hop, in the grand scheme of things, is a relatively new phenomenon, with the first 'hip hop stars' not rising to prominence until the mid to late 80's. As such, the age issue is one that for a while the hip hop community did not have to deal with. It has only been recently, in the midst of a new generation of artists, that the question of 'how old is too old for hip hop' has come to the forefront. Many young and up-and-coming artists have complained that older artists, who the media all to willingly keeps in our eyes, ears and minds, are "in their lane" and not allowing them a shot at the spotlight. They feel that the more established acts need to allow them a chance to move forward outside of their shadow. The reply of established acts should be all to clear: They shouldn't have to. It is the responsibility of younger artists to make music with the substance and strength to stand on its own, regardless of the presence of long standing acts in hip hop. One need look no farther than Drake to see that the hip hop community is ready and willing to embrace any artist with something new and fresh to bring to the table.

T

here are those who might say that so long as the Jay-Z's, Nas's, and Eminem's of the world remain in the spotlight, it will be difficult to fully transition into a new era in hip hop. As a reply one might note artists such as Paul McCartney, Metallica, Prince...all landmark acts within there genres...all still performing or producing new material. These artists have payed their dues and should be allowed to continue pursue their passion so long as they are artistically inclined. The same standard should apply for artists in hip hop. Indeed, hip hop is one of the only genres ready and willing to place an expiration date on the careers of its most respected and prolific artists.

So, to end my initial remarks, I must say that age should not matter in hip hop any more than it matters in any other genre. Naturally, the music will always appeal to the youth, as it does with many other genres. But so long as artists have the capacity to remain relevant and continue their success, they should be allowed to do so.

5th Letter

Does anyone wanna take Kay's place in the debates? Just go ahead and post if you are interested.