Jay-Z: Age 42 (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Busta Rhymes: Age 40 (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images)
Dr. Dre: Age 47 (Photo by Simon Burchell/Getty Images)
Common: Age 40 (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Flavor Flav: Age 53 (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
Chuck D: Age 53 (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
Will Smith (a.k.a. The Fresh Prince): Age 44 (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Raekwon: Age 42 (Photo by John E. Davidson/WireImage)
Queen Latifah: Age 42 (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
DMX: Age 41 (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Missy Elliott: Age 41 (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)
Q-Tip: Age 42 (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Snoop Dogg: Age 41 (Photo by Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic)
RZA: Age 43 (Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage)
Salt n Pepa: Age 48 (Photo by C Flanigan/WireImage)
Ghostface Killah: Age 42 (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
Eminem: Age 40 (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)
LL Cool J: Age 44 (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Diddy: Age 43 (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Black Thought: Age 41 (Photo by C Flanigan/Getty Images)
Rap icon and entrepreneur Jay-Z turns the ripe old age of 42 today, and yet he’s arguably as popular and prolific as he’s ever been.
He’s still dropping blockbuster albums and singles. Plus he’s holding it down as a co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets and the husband of R&B diva Beyoncé.
Still, “Hova” is far from the only middle-aged rapper who is keepin’ in relevant in the 21st century.
Please check out our slideshow of remarkable rappers who prove that age is nothing but a number.
