Which of these hip-hop eras did you like better? I know most people will probably choose Golden, however I'm interested to see if anyone prefers Silver.

Golden/Gangsta Streets Age (1986–1997):
Prime Run-DMC, Prime Beastie Boys, Salt n Pepa, Prime LL Cool J, Prime Kool Moe Dee, Boogie Down Productions, Marley Marl, Juice Crew, Ultramagnetic MCs, Jungle Brothers, Biz Markie, Eric B and Rakim, Tone Loc, Eazy-E, Ice-T, Schooly D, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, EPMD, Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff, KRS-One, MC Lyte, The DOC, NWA, Prime Slick Rick, Kool G Rap and DJ Polo, De La Soul, Leaders of the New School, KMD, Brand Nubian, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, MC Hammer, Kid n Play, 3rd Bass, Boyz II Men, Vanilla Ice, Bell Biv DeVoe, 2 Live Crew, The UMs, Main Source, Lord Finesse, Just Ice, Digable Planets, Stetsasonic, True Mathematics, Mantronix, Too $hort, Kid Frost, Early Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, Tupac, Super Cat, Naughty By Nature, MC Shan, Dizzy Wright, Roxanne Shante, Masta Ace, Cypress Hill, Early Busta Rhymes, Early Master P, Early Fat Joe, DITC, Prime Snoop Dogg, Early E-40, Prime Dr. Dre, Geto Boys, Early Scarface, Three 6 Mafia, DJ Paul, Juicy J, Tommy Wright, Princess Loko, House of Pain, Pete Rock and CL Smooth, Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon, RZA, Ghostface Killah, Killah Priest, Early Method Man and Redman, Kriss Kross, Onyx, Souls of Mischief, Queen Latifah, Early Outkast, Nas, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Gang Starr, Craig Mack, Mobb Deep, 7L & Esoteric, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Big L, Coolio, Xzibit, Junior MAFIA, Early R. Kelly, Das-EFX, Early Blackstreet, Early Common, Early Jay-Z, Early Eminem, Fugees, Early Westside Connection, Mack 10, WC, Short Khop, DJ Pooh, 8ball, MJG, Daz Dillinger, Early J. Dilla, Bud'da, J-Flexx, Suge Knight, Ill Al Skratch, Phalosapi, Mike Epps, Tag Team, G. Dep, Snap, Wyclef Jean, Keith Murray, DJ Quik, Poor Righteous Teachers, X Clan, Jeru the Damaja, Audio Two, The Alkaholics, Fat Pat

Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (1997–2006):
Prime Busta Rhymes, Prime Jay-Z (98-03), Prime Master P, Funkmaster Flex, Juelz Santana, The Firm, Foxy Brown, Cormega, Nature, AZ, Dipset, Black Rob, Jiggy-Era Will Smith, Faith Evans, 112, 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, Prime Blackstreet, Mya, Ill Will, Prime Common, Prime Eminem (99-03), 2001-era Dre and Snoop, Pharaoh Monch, Lauryn Hill, Prime Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Aliyah, Alicia Keys, Canibus, MOP, Ludacris, Prime Outkast, Nelly, Prime Scarface, Prime 50 Cent (03-05), Prime E-40, Brandy, Monica, Trick Daddy, Chingy, J-Kwon, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Early Clipse, Nappy Roots, Anthony Hamilton, Eve, Lil Flip, Aaron Carter, Baha Men, Early Pharrell, Later Westside Connection, 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, 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, Prime J. Dilla, Fatman Scoop, Ciara, Paul Wall, Big Pokey, Little Brother, Mac Dre, Trina, Tyrese Gibson, Cannibal Ox, Ebro, Loon

Before The Golden Age. Hip hop died in the mid 1980s.

Golden Age 8). Silver Age was still good though and that was more of 'my time' anyways.

Before The Golden Age. Hip hop died in the mid 1980s.

Is your name Melle Mel by chance? Lol

Is your name Melle Mel by chance? Lol


;D

Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five were real rappers. Still, it grabs me how authentic  rap spawned all of these different types of rap.

Golden age definitely ! I was born in the golden age, raised in the silver age

Is your name Melle Mel by chance? Lol


I caved and voted for Golden Age Rap.

Before The Golden Age. Hip hop died in the mid 1980s.


Golden Age too, before 1986.

;D

Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five were real rappers. Still, it grabs me how authentic  rap spawned all of these different types of rap.


And you had some others way before 1986.

Golden Age too, before 1986.


The OP talking about manufactured rap, not authentic rap from hip hop days of the 70s and early to mid 1980s. Manufactured rap all sounds the same for the most part. I never cared for it. Hip hop is about so much more than rap.

The OP talking about manufactured rap, not authentic rap from hip hop days of the 70s and early to mid 1980s. Manufactured rap all sounds the same for the most part. I never cared for it. Hip hop is about so much more than rap.


OK I thought he was referring to rap during the days of The Sugarhill Gang or Grandmaster Flash.

OK I thought he was referring to rap during the days of The Sugarhill Gang or Grandmaster Flash.


No. The OP wants to know if manufactured rap was better in the day and age of rap coming into the mainstream (80s to 90s) or when you could not escape from it (90s to 2000s).

My question for Zelek3 would be,  How would you categorize both eras of hip hop into generation terms (i.e. Generation X, Millennials, or Generation Z)?

My question for Zelek3 would be,  How would you categorize both eras of hip hop into generation terms (i.e. Generation X, Millennials, or Generation Z)?


Not Zelek3, but…

Golden Age of Rap (1986-1997) : Gen X/early Gen Y (XY)

Silver Age of Rap (1997-2006): Early Gen Y (XY)/ Late Gen Y

Here's my take on the generations for both hip hop eras, in my opinion:

Oldschool/Funky Fly Age (1979–1986): Late Boomers/early Gen Xers

Golden/Gangsta Streets Age (1986–1997): Core Gen xers / Late Gen Xers

Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (1997–2006): Early Millennial / Core Millennial

Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age (2006-2012): Core Millennial / Late Millennial

Trap / Mumble Rap Age (2016 - present): Early Gen Zers

Here's my take on the generations for both hip hop eras, in my opinion:

Oldschool/Funky Fly Age (1979–1986): Late Boomers/early Gen Xers

Golden/Gangsta Streets Age (1986–1997): Core Gen xers / Late Gen Xers

Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (1997–2006): Early Millennial / Core Millennial

Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age (2006-2012): Core Millennial / Late Millennial

Trap / Mumble Rap Age (2016 - present): Early Gen Zers


I'd make a few alterations. If we're defining the generation's reign of influence by the 'peak' of each individual's 'youth period', which would be about age 16.5 through one's 17th birthday, then I'd define the eras of hip hop like this:



Oldschool/Funky Fly Age (1979–1986): Generation Jones/'Brat Packers' era of hip hop; High School Classes of 1981-1987 (those b. Late 1962- Mid 1969)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ac/WildStyle.jpg

Two Sub Eras:

Funk Age - 1979-1983

'EM C'in' Age - 1983-1986




Golden/Gangsta Streets Age (1986–1997): Generation X's era of hip hop; High School Classes of 1988-1998 (those b. Late 1969-Mid 1980)

https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5dee9d8bc573b80009766dc2/1:1/w_600/thechronic.jpg

Two Sub Eras:

'Classic Golden Age' - 1986-1992

'Gangsta Golden Age' - 1992-1997




Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (1997–2006): Generation Y's era of hip hop; High School Classes of 1999-2008 (those b. Late 1980-Mid 1990)

https://images.rapgenius.com/b0ca2ff83aac1ce4baf7a7c9bf1bcc43.500x500x1.jpg

Two Sub Eras:

'Jiggy' Age - 1997-2001

'Bling' 'Bling'/Neptunes Age - 2001-2006




Bronze/Ringtone Swag/'Pre' Trap Age (2006-2016): Millennials' era of hip hop; High School Classes of 2009-2017 (those b. Late 1990-Mid 1999)

https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d0000b2731482b64d2a7be1616ed1c942

Two Sub Eras:

Ringtone/Bronze Age - 2006-2012

'Pre Trap'/Platinum Age - 2012-2016



Trap / Mumble Rap Age (2016 - present): Generation Z's era of hip hop; High School Classes of 2018-.... (those b. Late 1999 - ....)

https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5c7fe8f08a62e1373c014204/1:1/w_600/JuiceWLRD_DeathRaceForLove.jpg

So far, the only known sub era is the 'Trap' era at large

Well-stated Zelda.

It's funny, if you look at forum posts from like 2005, people were arguing over whether the Golden Age of hip hop was 1986–1992 ("classic" golden age) or 1992–1997 (G-funk/gangsta golden age). The clear answer here is to combine the two ranges into one Golden Age: 1986–1997. 8)

Looks right to me, ZeldaFan20.

For the bronze age, I modify into these particular eras, IMO:

Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age: 2006-2012 (Millennials' era of hip hop; High School Classes of 2009-2014) - Those born between late 1990 to mid 1997

Pre Trap'/Platinum Age - 2012-2016 (Gen Y/Z era of hip hop; High School Classes of 2016-2018) - Those born between late 1997 to mid 2000

For the bronze age, I modify into these particular eras, IMO:

Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age: 2006-2012 (Millennials' era of hip hop; High School Classes of 2009-2014) - Those born between late 1990 to mid 1997

Pre Trap'/Platinum Age - 2012-2016 (Gen Y/Z era of hip hop; High School Classes of 2016-2018) - Those born between late 1997 to mid 2000


Both are terrible, IMHO. The record companies ran rap into the ground.

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

Songs representing the end of the Golden Age:

tzOOCnkUlnA 41qC3w3UUkU glEiPXAYE-U cPRKsKwEdUQ

Songs representing the start of the Silver Age:

rIvEiTrq9kk NKMtZm2YuBE h1fBYUWxaKQ 3JcmQONgXJM

What do you think?

I definitely choose the Silver Age.

Here's my take on the generations for both hip hop eras, in my opinion:

Oldschool/Funky Fly Age (1979–1986): Late Boomers/early Gen Xers

Golden/Gangsta Streets Age (1986–1997): Core Gen xers / Late Gen Xers

Silver/Jiggy Bling Age (1997–2006): Early Millennial / Core Millennial

Bronze/Ringtone Swag Age (2006-2012): Core Millennial / Late Millennial

Trap / Mumble Rap Age (2016 - present): Early Gen Zers


I consider early/core millennials rap to range from 1997-2005

& core/late millennial rap from 2006-2015

1986 to 1997?

Does the golden age of manufactured rap really go on for that long?

Even though I chose 1986 as the start of the golden age (since a lot of other sources choose that year), really any year from 1986 to 1988 has been cited as the start.

1986: Run-DMC's Raising Hell and Beastie Boys' License to Ill take hip-hop to a new level, Eric B & Rakim's debut with the single Eric B Is President, Ice-T releases 6 in the Morning which is the first second gangsta rap song, Boogie Down Productions release the first diss track South Bronx

1987: BDP release the album Criminal Minded, Eric B & Rakim release their debut album Paid in Full, Eazy-E debuts with Boyz n the Hood, Public Enemy releases the single Rebel without a Pause

1988: NWA debuts with Straight Outta Compton, Slick Rick releases The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, Public Enemy releases the album It Takes a Nation of Millions, hip-hop starts sounding more 90s-ish, Yo! MTV Raps begins

Even though I chose 1986 as the start of the golden age (since a lot of other sources choose that year), really any year from 1986 to 1988 has been cited as the start.

1986: Run-DMC's Raising Hell and Beastie Boys' License to Ill take hip-hop to a new level, Eric B & Rakim's debut with the single Eric B Is President, Ice-T releases 6 in the Morning which is the first second gangsta rap song, Boogie Down Productions release the first diss track South Bronx

1987: BDP release the album Criminal Minded, Eric B & Rakim release their debut album Paid in Full, Eazy-E debuts with Boyz n the Hood, Public Enemy releases the single Rebel without a Pause

1988: NWA debuts with Straight Outta Compton, Slick Rick releases The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, Public Enemy releases the album It Takes a Nation of Millions, hip-hop starts sounding more 90s-ish, Yo! MTV Raps begins


I would include mantronix and just ice first album from 1986 seems to establishing that a lot of the late 80s sound that separates the old school hip hop.

Also kool moe dee, ll cool j and scholly d releases from that time contributed to this.

Well-stated Zelda.

It's funny, if you look at forum posts from like 2005, people were arguing over whether the Golden Age of hip hop was 1986–1992 ("classic" golden age) or 1992–1997 (G-funk/gangsta golden age). The clear answer here is to combine the two ranges into one Golden Age: 1986–1997. 8)
it depends on age and when you started listening to rap music. For those who were listening in the 80s would consider the golden age pre 95 (before east coast vs west coast beef) and every type of hip hop was commercially successful. People our age group would extended to 97 because of how big and pac has impacted our generation of music despite us being mere infants during their deaths. 

it depends on age and when you started listening to rap music. For those who were listening in the 80s would consider the golden age pre 95 (before east coast vs west coast beef) and every type of hip hop was commercially successful. People our age group would extended to 97 because of how big and pac has impacted our generation of music despite us being mere infants during their deaths.

I'd say more like pre-92. 1992 was when The Chronic came out and gangsta rap became inescapable, at least that's what "old heads" have told me from their experience. For them the golden age was 1986-1992, but for us it's 1986-1997. To younger audiences, 92-97 built on the momentum of 86-92 and took it to the next level.