30 is not the new 20

Hip-Hop in general is a young man's sport. However, Hip-Hop age isn't the same as regular civilian age. In Hip-Hop years your late 20's are your golden years and by your 30's you are officially ancient, a dust-farter. So, for us (Self Scientific)to be into our 30's and still making music that is relevant to younger fans, is dope to me. It is a testament to our claim of being ahead of our time.

Recently I have been really watching the new movement that is building in Los Angeles. The movement that was probably started by groups like Funkytown Pros, The Liks, Freestyle Fellowship, and The Pharcyde in a time when it was truly different to be from L.A., and not have the traditional themes of gang-banging and cars in your music. The groups made it possible for groups like Dilated Peoples, Phil the Agony, Planet Asia,Black Eyed Peas, and Self Scientific to have a lane and an audience to promote their music to.

Today, the artists representing that lane created by the waves of groups before them, are young brothers like Pacific Division, Blu, U-N-I, Diz Gibran, Dom Kennedy...etc. The lane is the same but the names have changed. We are seeing the first generation of L.A. rappers that are in a position to change the way L.A. Hip-Hop is stereotypically looked at.

Now that I am into my 30's it feels crazy to see the evolution of OUR influences in some of the young groups that I am a fan of....The refreshing thing is 8 outta 10 of the new artists actually understand that we are of the same creative lineage, and don't front. Still, its hard not to feel old when the new cats you respect, tell you they bought your CD when they were 13 years old. So no 30 is not the new 20 old but 20 but it damn sure and you new you are getting old in Hip-Hop when you see the cycles before they happen.