🎤 Silver Fox Twin Roy’sTake on Evolution of Hip-Hop: From Old-School to Gangsta Rap To Kendrick Lamar

Written by Silver Fox Twin Roy Williams

-Birmingham, Ala.

Which side are you on?

Attending the Sugarhill Gang, Young MC and Tone Loc concert at the Alabaster Amphitheater over the weekend got me reminiscing about how much rap has changed since I first started listening to it.

There I was at 61, standing on a summer night with my wife Patrice and her cousin Tracey, singing, dancing and laughing to music I first heard nearly 40 years ago.

Looking around the crowd was just as entertaining—people my age alongside younger generations enjoying the same music.

But the concert also made me realize something:

I prefer old-school rap.

Not simply because I’m nostalgic.

I like the combination of great beats, clever lyrics and music that could get you on the dance floor without depending heavily on sexual content, profanity or violence.

🎤 Take “The Message”

In the 1980s, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message” addressed the harsh realities of life in the hood without glorifying violence.

Run-DMC’s “It’s Like That” tackled social and economic struggles.

And then you had Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” “Apache,” and other songs that simply made you want to move.

That was my kind of rap.

🔥 Then Came the ’90s

I’ll admit it: I listened to gangsta rap.

N.W.A., Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., Warren G and Naughty by Nature were part of my rotation.

But I usually listened to the radio-edited versions.

At the same time, I gravitated toward artists whose music had messages I connected with.

Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” remains one of my favorites.

And when it came to women in hip-hop, I preferred the sexiness of Salt-N-Pepa over the more explicit style that became common with some later female rappers, including Nicki Minaj.

🎧 What Happened to the Music I Loved?

Rap didn’t disappear.

It evolved.

The 2000s, 2010s and today’s hip-hop brought artists such as Jay-Z, Eminem, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Nicki Minaj, along with countless others.

The production changed.

The lyrics changed.

The technology changed.

And the way we listen changed—from boomboxes, records and cassettes to Spotify, streaming and TikTok.

But after reflecting on that concert, I’ve realized that when I want to put on rap and really enjoy myself, I’m usually going back to the old school.

Maybe it’s the memories.

Maybe it’s the beats.

Maybe it’s the lyrics.

Or maybe this 61-year-old Silver Fox just knows what he likes. 😂

🦊 Now It’s Your Turn

Do you prefer old-school rap or today’s rap?

What’s your favorite artist, song or era?

And if you prefer today’s music, convince this Silver Fox why I’m missing something! 😂

Silver Fox Twin Roy Williams

Still listening. Still walking. Still discovering music—but apparently still old school at heart. 🎤🦊