Which of these hip-hop eras did you like better?

Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (1997-2006):
Prime Busta Rhymes, Prime Jay-Z (98-03), Prime Master P, Juelz Santana, Dipset, Black Rob, Jiggy-Era Will Smith, Hype Williams, Mark Curry, Camp Lo, Cam'ron, Tracey Lee, Erykah Badu, Mystikal, Silkk tha Shocker, Fiend, Mia X, Puff Daddy, Prime R. Kelly, Camp Lo, Ma$e, Blackstar, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Neptunes, Big Pun, Prime Fat Joe, Terror Squad, Remy, DMX, Dead Prez, Prime Blackstreet, Mya, Prime Common, Prime Eminem (99-03), 2001-era Dre and Snoop, Pharaoh Monch, Lauryn Hill, Prime Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Aliyah, Canibus, MOP, Ludacris, Prime Outkast, Black Thought, Nelly, Prime Scarface, Prime 50 Cent (03-05), E-40, Brandy, Monica, Trick Daddy, Chingy, J-Kwon, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Early Clipse, Nappy Roots, Anthony Hamilton, Eve, Sisquo, Lil Flip, Aaron Carter, Baha Men, Early Pharrell, Pharacyde, Lil Romeo, Lil Bow Wow, Omarion, Prime Lil Jon, East Side Boyz, Yin Yang Twins, Juvenile, Lloyd Banks, Prime Usher, The LOX, Jadakiss, Prime MF DOOM, Early Kanye West, Twista, Jamie Foxx, Petey Pablo, Bubba Sparxxx, Mr. Collipark, Early Ne-Yo, Kelly Rowland, Prime The Game (04-06), Prime Chamillionaire, Early Gucci Mane, Prime T.I. (04-06), Cassidy, Kelis, Early Akon, Early Lil Wayne, Mid Period Nas, Nick Cannon, Olivia, Early Black-Eyed Peas, Early Young Jeezy, Later Method Man & Redman, UGK, TLC, Destiny's Child, Later Ice Cube, Early Cherish, Early Dem Franchise Boyz, Mike Jones, Jim Jones, B-Real, Fabolous, Early Young Buck, J. Dilla, Johnta Austin, Mario, Sole Decision, Uncle Kracker, Blaque

Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age (2006-2012):
D4L, Lil Sami, Unk, Prime Dem Franchise Boyz, K-Rab, Prime Cherish, One Chance, Fabo, Shawty Lo, Prime Young Buck, Early Lupe Fiasco, T.I.P.-era T.I., Jibbs, Prime Young Jeezy, Yung Joc, Early Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, MIMS, Rich Boy, Arab, Hurricane Chris, Chris Brown, Hip Hop Police-era Chamillionaire, Prime Gucci Mane, Later Akon, Later 50 Cent, Down, Crime Mob, Prime Kanye (07-10), Mid-Period Jay-Z, Mid-Period Eminem, Huey, New Boyz, M.I.A., LMFAO, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, T-Pain, Young Buck, Early Flo Rida, Prime Lil Wayne (08-11), Nipsey Hussle, Later The Game, Early Birdman, Lil Boosie, Early Drake, Later Usher, Early B.O.B., Early Bruno Mars, Early Nicki Minaj, Prime Pitbull, Afrojack, Nayer, Prime Ne-Yo, Early Wiz Khalifa, Early 2-Chainz, Kid Cudi, Young Money, GS Boyz, Early Hopsin, Early DJ Khaled, Early Pharrell, Early Tyga, Early Joey Bada$$, Early Tyler the Creator, Prime Clipse, Freddie Gibbs, Early Kendrick Lamar, Later Black-Eyed Peas, Meek Mill, Early J. Cole, Early Logic, Early Macklemore, Waka Flocka Flame, Ace Hood, Early Pusha T, Madlib, Kandi Buruss
__________

For reference, I'd say the Silver Age began in 1996-97 after Tupac and Biggie died and when artists like Master P, Ma$e, and Puff Daddy started taking hip-hop in a more commercial direction. And I'd say it ended in 2005-06 with songs like Hate It Or Love It by The Game, Candy Shop by 50 Cent, What You Know by T.I., You Don't Know by Eminem, 50 Cent, and Lloyd Banks, Touch It by Busta Rhymes, and Hip-Hop Is Dead by Nas which were among the last mainstream songs to have the "silver age sound".

Then I'd say the Bronze Age gradually set in from 2005-07 with songs like Laffy Taffy by D4L, Chain Hang Low by Jibbs, It's Goin Down by Yung Joc, and Crank That by Soulja Boy. You also had Proof dying, Eminem going on hiatus, Outkast broke up, J. Dilla died, Destiny's Child broke up, hip hop sales began to decline in 2005, Nas released Hip-Hop Is Dead, Youtube became popular and changed the ways rappers interacted with their fans, 50 Cent's Curtis was defeated in sales by Kanye West's Graduation which damaged gangsta rap's popularity, etc.

The Bronze Age ended in 2011-12 when Future released Tony Montana and Chief Keef released Don't Like which popularized the mumble rap/trap fusion style, leading into the Modern/Soundcloud Trap Age. Although, I'm still waffling a bit on when this age truly began, because some would argue it started in 2013 with Versace by Migos, or 2014 with Trap Queen by Fetty Wrap.

The Silver Age, absolutely.

That being said, the Golden Age (1988-1997) is mostly the only era of hip-hop I really listen to. Past that, I do like Eminem, and some of 50 Cent, Kanye West, a few others, but even they (maybe with the exception of Eminem) can't top 2Pac, Notorious BIG, Eazy-E, classic Ice Cube, Chronic-Era Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang Clan, etc.

That's too difficult of a question.

The golden Age is the BEST time for hip hop (Tone loc,etc)

Both were good, but 2005-2009 with the exception of 2008 was one of the worst years for hip-hop IMO. I prefer anything after 2010 any day of the week.

Silver Age; its not even up for debate.

Both were good, but 2005-2009 with the exception of 2008 was one of the worst years for hip-hop IMO. I prefer anything after 2010 any day of the week.


2009 and 2010 were like the peak of the Renaissance though IMO. Also, Zelek3 has the ages of hip hop wrong. The silver age of hip hop did not last through 2004-2006. Y2K hip hop was a separate era from core 2000's hip hop. Core 2000's hip hop was like the era of 50 cent and ringtone/snap rap which didn't exist or wasn't popular in the Y2K era. The electropop era affected hip hop too, therefore, the core 2000's hip hop of snap and ringtone rap was over after 2008 while 2009-2011 was a weird, but solid time for hip hop before trap music in hip hop songs came on the rise.

Sorry but original post looks like it's deliberating trying to frame '06 - '12 as nothing but ringtone rap. First half mentions The Game, Nas, etc (obviously quality artists) while only mentioning Jibbs, Young Joc, Chief Keef (obviousy lower tier artists) in the second half. But doesn't mention any artists of the same quality such as Lil Jon, Ying Yang Twins, etc in the first half and no mention of more quality artists like Clipse, Kanye, Kid Cudi, M.I A, Lupe, Kendrick, etc in the second half. Also you listed artists with longevity (some of which had their peak in 06 - 09) vs. those with a small shelf life of only one or two albums. The 06 - 12' era  (even 2007 -2009) set the groundwork for Hip-Hop as we know it today by allowing artists who pushed the boundaries of the genre to breakout into the mainstream (as can be seen with Lupe, Kanye,  M.I.A, Cudi who had their most successful albums during this time, although mainstream shouldn't be the only type of music to consider neither

Not attacking you it's just that so many people do this

Not attacking you it's just that so many people do this

I'll edit my post to add more good artists from the bronze age. I was mostly discussing what I feel were the bookends of each age

I don't know if I'm capable of choosing. I'm not a fan of most 90s Hip Hop to where its extreme and both eras possess the same number of quality I like. Heck, even Crank Dat Soulja Boy grew on me.

Most hip-hop heads refer to the golden era from 85-94 (yo mtv raps days).

Most hip-hop heads refer to the golden era from 85-97 (yo mtv raps days).


Fixed it for you ;).

Fixed it for you ;).

Some folks end the golden age at 1993 because that's when gangsta rap fully broke through, however others extend it until 1996/97 because Tupac and Biggie died then, and because there was such an incredible amount of great hip hop in 1994-1996 that it's thought you shouldn't be biased against it just for being "gangsta".

Some folks end the golden age at 1993 because that's when gangsta rap fully broke through, however others extend it until 1996/97 because Tupac and Biggie died then, and because there was such an incredible amount of great hip hop in 1994-1996 that it's thought you shouldn't be biased against it just for being "gangsta".


That's my whole point. IMO, the Golden Age is broken up like this:

1985-1988: Early Golden Age/NWA Era (Beastie Boys, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash, etc.)

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1988-1994: Peak Golden Age (later NWA, Public Enemy, Snoob Doggy Dog, early 2Pac, early Biggy, Nas, Dr. Dre, etc.)

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1994-1997: Late Golden Age/Peak Gangsta Rap Wars (Peak Biggy & 2pac, early Jay Z, Eazy E, Coolio, Bad Boy Records, etc.)

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Videos attached are some of my favorites from the respected eras, but I think they also provide a decent gaze to the varied styles popular in each era

THE SILVER AGE

Eh. 97-00 felt so much like its own era, so I'm going with whatever that was.

That's my whole point. IMO, the Golden Age is broken up like this:

1985-1988: Early Golden Age/NWA Era (Beastie Boys, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash, etc.)

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1988-1994: Peak Golden Age (later NWA, Public Enemy, Snoob Doggy Dog, early 2Pac, early Biggy, Nas, Dr. Dre, etc.)

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1994-1997: Late Golden Age/Peak Gangsta Rap Wars (Peak Biggy & 2pac, early Jay Z, Eazy E, Coolio, Bad Boy Records, etc.)

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Videos attached are some of my favorites from the respected eras, but I think they also provide a decent gaze to the varied styles popular in each era
The mid 90s was legendary no doubt, but it was the late 80s and early 90s era was when hip-hop was new and expermental. You could be anything you want and still sell records as long as you were a good mc. You could be consious, squeky clean, dancey, funny and sexual. Once the West Coast vs East Coast beef happened it became all about conforming to that thug image. It was the Golden era because it was the frist era where Hip-Hop was becoming a global phenomenon.

Golden Age > Bronze Age > Siver Age

The mid 90s was legendary no doubt, but it was the late 80s and early 90s era was when hip-hop was new and expermental. You could be anything you want and still sell records as long as you were a good mc. You could be consious, squeky clean, dancey, funny and sexual. Once the West Coast vs East Coast beef happened it became all about conforming to that thug image. It was the Golden era because it was the frist era where Hip-Hop was becoming a global phenomenon.


My whole point was that the Late 80s/Early 90s was undeniably the peak of the Golden Age of Hip Hop, but the mid 80s & mid 90s also belonged in the earlier & later periods within the golden age respectively. Mid 80s was arguably the cleanest/streamlined version of golden age Hip Hop, while the mid 90s being the most gangster/melancholic. The Late 80s/Early 90s was a perfect blend of the two.

When Biggie died & Puffy simultaneously rose in popularity (among other trends) was when the Silver Age began, and it lasted through 2006.

I prefer modern music.

Please limit videos to only 2 per post. Thank you.


Cat

Please limit videos to only 2 per post. Thank you.


Cat


My apologies, I was just highlighting three separate eras of rap/hip hop through music videos.

I'm moreso into Underground Hip hop which is basically a non-mainstream version of the late 80s/early 90s Hip Hop era in that each track is very experimental.
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I have a bookshelf full of albums from artists that I think deserve more praise.

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8) Love the sound of these. I can't really split the underground scene into different eras since the underground scene doesn't seem to follow trends too often. Can have the sounds of multiple hip hop eras all within just 1 year.

Alright y'all, I added lists of artists to both sections, to reduce the bias that some say I had. Now you can vote with a more balanced perspective.

Which of these hip-hop eras did you like better?

Silver Age:
Busta Rhymes, Prime Jay-Z, Master P, Puff Daddy, Ma$e, Blackstar, TLC, Destiny's Child, The Neptunes, Big Pun, Fat Joe, DMX, Prime Eminem, 2001-era Dre and Snoop, Pharaoh Monch, Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, Aliyah, Canibus, MOP, Ludacris, Outkast, Nelly, 50 Cent, Chingy, J-Kwon, Ja Rule, Lil Bow Wow, Lil Jon, Yin Yang Twins, Juvenile, Lloyd Banks, Usher, Jadakiss, MF DOOM, College Dropout-era Kanye, The Game, Chamillionaire, Prime T.I., Cassidy, Kelis, Early Akon, Early Lil Wayne

Bronze Age:
Soulja Boy, Young Joc, Early Lupe Fiasco, T.I.P., Early Rick Ross, Early Gucci Mane, Graduation and MBDTF-era Kanye, Later Jay-Z, Later Eminem, M.I.A., Timbland, T-Pain, Young Buck, Early Flo Rida, Prime Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Early Birdman, Lil Boosie, Early Drake, Early B.O.B., Early Bruno Mars, Early Nicki Minaj, Early Pitbull, Early Wiz Khalifa, Early 2-Chainz, Kid Cudi, Young Money, GS Boyz, Early Hopsin, Early Pharrell, Early Tyga, Early Joey Bada$$, Early Tyler the Creator, Clipse, Early Kendrick Lamar

For reference, I'd say the Silver Age began in 1997-98 after Biggie  died and when artists like Master P and Puff Daddy started taking hip-hop in a more commercial direction. And I'd say it ended in 2005-06 with songs like Hate It Or Love It by The Game, What You Know by T.I., and Hip-Hop Is Dead by Nas which were among the last mainstream songs to have the "silver age sound".

Then I'd say the Bronze Age began in 2006-07 with songs like Chain Hang Low by Jibbs, It's Goin Down by Yung Joc, and Crank That by Soulja Boy. The Bronze Age ended in 2012-13 when Chief Keef released Don't Like which popularized the "mumble rap" style, leading into the Mumble/Trap Age of Hip-Hop as I call it.
There was Golden Age?

Even though Soulja Boy is the least charismatic rapper of all time, I'll give him credit for being a great businessman (richest rapper of all time) and for opening the doors for more Internet-based rappers to be discovered.

The Silver Age, absolutely.

That being said, the Golden Age (1988-1997) is mostly the only era of hip-hop I really listen to. Past that, I do like Eminem, and some of 50 Cent, Kanye West, a few others, but even they (maybe with the exception of Eminem) can't top 2Pac, Notorious BIG, Eazy-E, classic Ice Cube, Chronic-Era Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang Clan, etc.

Agreed with everything! BUT, the golden age was really from 1986-1994 or 1986-1996 so it lasted about a decade. From Run DMC making it mainstream till Tupac and BIG’s deaths.


But yeah like I said, even though the Bronze Age was my main era, I still like the silver age better since it was the first hip hop music I heard.


Also I kinda disagree with Max on the latter twos dates, I think the Silver age was really 1997-2003/04ish and the Bronze Age should be divided into two parts; 2005-2008 and 2009-2011. Then again the silver age can be didivded into parts as well, 1997-1998 and 1999-2003/04. But that in its self is a debate. ;D

There was Golden Age?

Yes from 1986 until 1996/97ish, or 1986-1994/95 but it’s VERY debatable.

Agreed with everything! BUT, the golden age was really from 1986-1994 or 1986-1996 so it lasted about a decade. From Run DMC making it mainstream till Tupac and BIG’s deaths.

I think SeaCaptain chose 1988 as the start because it was when NWA came out with their first album.

Everyone has their own choice for when the golden age began; some say 1986 because of Run DMC making rap mainstream as you said, plus License to Ill by the Beastie Boys. Others say 1987 because it had the debut of Rakim and his crazy flow, plus the debut of Eazy E. ;) Others say 1988 because of NWA as I mentioned before, the premiere of Yo MTV Raps, and just it being considered one of the most creative and explosive hip hop years in general.

Some people would go back even further and suggest 1982 as the start of the Golden Age because of The Message by Grandmaster Flash breaking ground and introducing social commentary to rap, plus Planet Rock introducing the electro breakdance style. Others say 1983-84 because Run DMC released their first singles and album marking the start of the "new school". Others say 1985 because of the debut of LL Cool J.

Also I kinda disagree with Max on the latter twos dates, I think the Silver age was really 1997-2003/04ish and the Bronze Age should be divided into two parts; 2005-2008 and 2009-2011. Then again the silver age can be didivded into parts as well, 1997-1998 and 1999-2003/04. But that in its self is a debate. ;D

I ended the silver age and began the bronze age in 2006 mostly based on these videos. I feel like in both these videos, you can clearly feel the Silver Age end and the Bronze Age begin in 2006 at the 20:43 mark. It all shifted with Jibbs, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane, and Yung Joc.

Check em out if you have the time.

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I'm not really going to choose because one era fulfills what the other lacks.

Edit: I'll chose now. I pick the Silver age, you had nice balance of regional music...so there were many different types of music to chose from. The Bronze age was more southern than anything.

So after some consideration I've revised my hip-hop era dates a bit.

1979–1988: Oldschool/Funky Fly Age
1988–1997: Golden/Gangsta Streets Age
1997–2006: Silver/Jiggy Bling Age
2006–2012: Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age
2012–present: Mumble/Trap Age

Artists like Chief Keef, Future, Migos, Rich Homie Quan, Rae Sremmurd, Rich Gang, etc. helped pioneer the mumble/trap era around 2012-2014 or so. There's been a backlash against mumble rap from artists like Run-DMC, Rakim, Snoop, and Eminem, so it's possible the era will end soon and lyricism will make a comeback.

So after some consideration I've revised my hip-hop era dates a bit.

1979–1988: Oldschool/Funky Fly Age
1988–1997: Golden/Gangsta Streets Age
1997–2006: Silver/Jiggy Bling Age
2006–2012: Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age
2012–present: Mumble/Trap Age

Artists like Chief Keef, Future, Migos, Rich Homie Quan, Rae Sremmurd, Rich Gang, etc. helped pioneer the mumble/trap era around 2012-2014 or so. There's been a backlash against mumble rap from artists like Run-DMC, Rakim, Snoop, and Eminem, so it's possible the era will end soon and lyricism will make a comeback.


This sounds about right! Although I think we need another distinction between the schism of Trap/Snap that is prominent today, and the sorta weird transitional era between the Ringtone rap of the Late 2000s to the Modern Rap of the Late 2010s. The period between Late 2012 & Mid 2016 from thereabouts was like a modern Platinum age when rappers like 2Chainz, Chief Keef, Drake ( back when he was good, at least IMO), Eminem's brief renaissance, J Cole, & Kendrick were at their apex in popularity & overall quality.

AS an example; there seems to be a MAJOR difference in musical style, lyrical content, & tone between Kendrick's To Pimp a Butterfly in 2015 to Damn in 2017. Just my 2 cents. Trap was certainly prevalent post 2012, but it didn't become the juggernaut & de facto style of the industry until circa Late 2016. That was around the time with the rise in Migos, Rae Stremmurd, Lil Yachty, etc.). When I think the 2016-2017 school year, Black Beatles & XO Tour Lif3 comes to mind, that definitely was a pretty significant shift in the industry.

I'd label it like this;

1979–1988: Oldschool/Funky Fly Age (iconic album Scoop)
1988–1997: Golden/Gangsta Streets Age (iconic album The Chronic)
1997–2006: Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (iconic album Get Rich or Die Tryin')
2006–2012: Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age (iconic album The Blueprint 3)
2012-2016: Platinum/Pre Trap Age (iconic album 2014 Forest Hills Drive)
2016–present: Mumble/Trap Age (iconic album Culture)

This sounds about right! Although I think we need another distinction between the schism of Trap/Snap that is prominent today, and the sorta weird transitional era between the Ringtone rap of the Late 2000s to the Modern Rap of the Late 2010s. The period between Late 2012 & Mid 2016 from thereabouts was like a modern Platinum age when rappers like 2Chainz, Chief Keef, Drake ( back when he was good, at least IMO), Eminem's brief renaissance, J Cole, & Kendrick were at their apex in popularity & overall quality.

AS an example; there seems to be a MAJOR difference in musical style, lyrical content, & tone between Kendrick's To Pimp a Butterfly in 2015 to Damn in 2017. Just my 2 cents. Trap was certainly prevalent post 2012, but it didn't become the juggernaut & de facto style of the industry until circa Late 2016. That was around the time with the rise in Migos, Rae Stremmurd, Lil Yachty, etc.). When I think the 2016-2017 school year, Black Beatles & XO Tour Lif3 comes to mind, that definitely was a pretty significant shift in the industry.

I'd label it like this;

1979–1988: Oldschool/Funky Fly Age (iconic album Scoop)
1988–1997: Golden/Gangsta Streets Age (iconic album The Chronic)
1997–2006: Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (iconic album Get Rich or Die Tryin')
2006–2012: Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age (iconic album The Blueprint 3)
2012-2016: Platinum/Pre Trap Age (iconic album 2014 Forest Hills Drive)
2016–present: Mumble/Trap Age (iconic album Culture)


Agreed 100%. When Bad and Boujee became popular, it was like when everyone realized that Trap  was a non-stop force that'll continue to get stronger. The Trap in the 2012-mid 2016 era sounded different from the trap from the late 2016- present era. Panda, a trap song that was a hit in Spring 2016, sounds different compared to today's Trap.

This sounds about right! Although I think we need another distinction between the schism of Trap/Snap that is prominent today, and the sorta weird transitional era between the Ringtone rap of the Late 2000s to the Modern Rap of the Late 2010s. The period between Late 2012 & Mid 2016 from thereabouts was like a modern Platinum age when rappers like 2Chainz, Chief Keef, Drake ( back when he was good, at least IMO), Eminem's brief renaissance, J Cole, & Kendrick were at their apex in popularity & overall quality.

AS an example; there seems to be a MAJOR difference in musical style, lyrical content, & tone between Kendrick's To Pimp a Butterfly in 2015 to Damn in 2017. Just my 2 cents. Trap was certainly prevalent post 2012, but it didn't become the juggernaut & de facto style of the industry until circa Late 2016. That was around the time with the rise in Migos, Rae Stremmurd, Lil Yachty, etc.). When I think the 2016-2017 school year, Black Beatles & XO Tour Lif3 comes to mind, that definitely was a pretty significant shift in the industry.

I'd label it like this;

1979–1988: Oldschool/Funky Fly Age (iconic album Scoop)
1988–1997: Golden/Gangsta Streets Age (iconic album The Chronic)
1997–2006: Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (iconic album Get Rich or Die Tryin')
2006–2012: Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age (iconic album The Blueprint 3)
2012-2016: Platinum/Pre Trap Age (iconic album 2014 Forest Hills Drive)
2016–present: Mumble/Trap Age (iconic album Culture)
When I think of rap in the late 00s/early 10s (09-13) I think of the young money autotuned era. Lil Wayne, Drake, Nikki, Waka Flocka, Wale, Early J Cole were chatting during this time which felt like a different era than the rintone rap from like 04-early 09. Mumble rap you can argue being a mid-10s fad as well since you already had guys like Migos, Young Thug, Chief Keef and Fetty Wap on the airwaves. Snoop dogg was complaining  about mumble rap before it became cool back in 2014 which shows how  mumbling was already a thing in rap. 

When I think of rap in the late 00s/early 10s (09-13) I think of the young money autotuned era. Lil Wayne, Drake, Nikki, Waka Flocka, Wale, Early J Cole were chatting during this time which felt like a different era than the rintone rap from like 04-early 09. Mumble rap you can argue being a mid-10s fad as well since you already had guys like Migos, Young Thug, Chief Keef and Fetty Wap on the airwaves. Snoop dogg was complaining  about mumble rap before it became cool back in 2014 which shows how  mumbling was already a thing in rap.


I think until early 2017, the whole rap scene changed when Culture(Migos) style Trap and Soundcloud started dominating over the traditional mumble rap such as Future, Young Thug, and Fetty Wap, they were more popular in 2014-2016.

This sounds about right! Although I think we need another distinction between the schism of Trap/Snap that is prominent today, and the sorta weird transitional era between the Ringtone rap of the Late 2000s to the Modern Rap of the Late 2010s. The period between Late 2012 & Mid 2016 from thereabouts was like a modern Platinum age when rappers like 2Chainz, Chief Keef, Drake ( back when he was good, at least IMO), Eminem's brief renaissance, J Cole, & Kendrick were at their apex in popularity & overall quality.

AS an example; there seems to be a MAJOR difference in musical style, lyrical content, & tone between Kendrick's To Pimp a Butterfly in 2015 to Damn in 2017. Just my 2 cents. Trap was certainly prevalent post 2012, but it didn't become the juggernaut & de facto style of the industry until circa Late 2016. That was around the time with the rise in Migos, Rae Stremmurd, Lil Yachty, etc.). When I think the 2016-2017 school year, Black Beatles & XO Tour Lif3 comes to mind, that definitely was a pretty significant shift in the industry.

I'd label it like this;

1979–1988: Oldschool/Funky Fly Age (iconic album Scoop)
1988–1997: Golden/Gangsta Streets Age (iconic album The Chronic)
1997–2006: Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (iconic album Get Rich or Die Tryin')
2006–2012: Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age (iconic album The Blueprint 3)
2012-2016: Platinum/Pre Trap Age (iconic album 2014 Forest Hills Drive)
2016–present: Mumble/Trap Age (iconic album Culture)

Here's a song that I think bridges the Golden and Silver Ages.

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It features Biggie, a Golden Age artist, and was one of his last singles, but also contains a lot of Silver Age staples pointing the way to the future, like Ma$e, Puffy, the shiny suits, the lighter "materialistic" feel compared to the heavier gangsta rap from just a year earlier, the fishbowl camera angle, much better picture quality compared to 1996 rap videos, etc.

I think until early 2017, the whole rap scene changed when Culture(Migos) style Trap and Soundcloud started dominating over the traditional mumble rap such as Future, Young Thug, and Fetty Wap, they were more popular in 2014-2016.

That happened in part to the rise of streaming services. I believe billboard changed charting rules that year as well.

Bumping the thread for more votes. We've got some new users here like DisneysRetro, Early2010sGuy, and Sman12 so I'd like to know what they think. The Bronze Age's mainstream used to get a lot of hate at the time, but people have softened on it recently, when taking it as fun dancing/meme music.

Something interesting I've noticed is that some people tend to lump the silver/bling and bronze/ringtone ages together into one long "Bling era" running from 1997 to 2012. For example I've heard Anthony Fantano describe Soulja Boy and Lil Wayne as "relics of the bling era" (whereas for me personally, the bling era is the silver age, and was over by the time they blew up in 07-08).

The seismic shift from silver age to bronze wasn't quite as huge/noticeable as the shift from golden to silver back in 1996-97, and lacks a marquee event on the scale of Biggie and Tupacs deaths. Hence, why some people think 1997-2012 is one big era for hip hop.

1979–1988: Oldschool/Funky Fly Age (iconic album Scoop)

I'm curious, which hip hop album is this? I've googled it and all that comes up is Scoop by Pete Townshend (classic rock, not hip hop lol).

Silver age for sure. I was raised in the silver age and came of age in the bronze age. Both good eras but silver was classic

Silver Age is better, IMO. I enjoyed classic hits like Mo' Money Mo' Problems, Still D.R.E., Lose Yourself, My Name Is, Without Me, In Da Club, 99 Problems, Rollout, Slow Jamz, Izzo (H.O.V.A.), Gold Digger, and Ridin'.

Silver Age is better, IMO. I enjoyed classic hits like Mo' Money Mo' Problems, Still D.R.E., Lose Yourself, My Name Is, Without Me, In Da Club, 99 Problems, Rollout, Slow Jamz, Izzo (H.O.V.A.), Gold Digger, and Ridin'.

Some people consider that a golden age song because it was one of Biggie's last songs. However, others consider it silver age because of the slick production, shiny suits, and presence of Puff Daddy and Ma$e.

Some people consider that a golden age song because it was one of Biggie's last songs. However, others consider it silver age because of the slick production, shiny suits, and presence of Puff Daddy and Ma$e.

It can be a cusp song.

Silver Age. No doubt about it.

For fun, here's songs I think bookend their eras.

Songs representing the end of the Silver Age:

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More songs representing the end of the Silver Age:

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Songs representing the start of the Bronze Age:

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More songs representing the start of the Bronze Age:

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Songs representing the start of the Bronze Age:

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"Paper Planes" is still a banger after all these years.  :)

As much as I (sorta) respect Soulja Boy for inspiring today's mumble rap artists and paving the way for internet-famous singers, his signature song is still grating to me.

2009 and 2010 were like the peak of the Renaissance though IMO. Also, Zelek3 has the ages of hip hop wrong. The silver age of hip hop did not last through 2004-2006. Y2K hip hop was a separate era from core 2000's hip hop. Core 2000's hip hop was like the era of 50 cent and ringtone/snap rap which didn't exist or wasn't popular in the Y2K era. The electropop era affected hip hop too, therefore, the core 2000's hip hop of snap and ringtone rap was over after 2008 while 2009-2011 was a weird, but solid time for hip hop before trap music in hip hop songs came on the rise.


Also I kinda disagree with Max on the latter twos dates, I think the Silver age was really 1997-2003/04ish and the Bronze Age should be divided into two parts; 2005-2008 and 2009-2011. Then again the silver age can be didivded into parts as well, 1997-1998 and 1999-2003/04. But that in its self is a debate. ;D

Honestly I don't see how 50 Cent "ended the Silver Age" in 2003 like some people believe. 50 Cent still had the silky-smooth "pop gangsta" vibe that rappers from 1997-2002 did. The bigger shift that ended the Silver Age was the breakthrough of ringtone/snap rap during 2005-2007, Nas releasing Hip-Hop Is Dead, Eminem going on hiatus and nearly overdosing, and Kanye's Graduation defeating 50's Curtis in record sales which killed mainstream gangsta rap.

Made this a few years back, my tribute to the Silver Age.

https://i.imgur.com/lsVGsUa.png

The Silver Age, absolutely.

That being said, the Golden Age (1988-1997) is mostly the only era of hip-hop I really listen to. Past that, I do like Eminem, and some of 50 Cent, Kanye West, a few others, but even they (maybe with the exception of Eminem) can't top 2Pac, Notorious BIG, Eazy-E, classic Ice Cube, Chronic-Era Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang Clan, etc.


Same for me although never been a Tupac fan. Replace Tupac with Wu-Tang clan then you've got a deal. So out of the two options given, Silver age. The Silver age was what I grew up with, what was on the radio at the time. But at the time I was mostly listening to a lot of stuff from the golden age during the silver age.

I'd like to hear Videl Satan and #Infinity's thoughts on this debate.