For today's rappers, it's all about being 'Young' AP
Hip-hop has always been about youth. Yet these days, perhaps more than ever, rap has become a young man's game -- literally. With a generation of rappers sharing the prefix "Young'' -- Young Jeezy, Young Dro, Young Buck, Yung Joc, among others -- it's clear that today's hip-hop places a premium on not only what's new, but who's young.
Young Jeezy (born Jay Jenkins), 29, claims his alias dates to his days hustling in Atlanta, long before he even started rhyming professionally. "I was always the young dude in the clique, so the OG homies used to call me `Young,' '' he says. But at age 29, Jeezy -- who is preparing to release his sophomore disc, "The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102,'' in December -- knows he may not be able to call himself Young too much longer.
"I feel young though. I feel I represent for the young; this is my way of kind touching base with them,'' he explains, before adding, " Yeah, ain't nobody want to (deal) with you if they think you old...''
