Drake, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar currently serve as the upper echelon of rap, but all three are now in their 30’s. Eventually, rappers such as Lil Uzi Vert and Young Thug will be candidates to take their place. Uzi and Thug have enjoyed a great start to their careers so far, gaining a loyal following in the process. They both have seen success on the pop charts, too, with Uzi having a hit in “XO Tour Lif3e” and Thug with “Lifestyle”. The parameters between hip-hop and pop continue to cross yearly. A hip-hop song had the top spot occupied six times on the Hot 100 in 2017. But according to A$AP Ferg, the days of the pop star being a pop singer appear to be over. Ferg believes that Uzi and Thug are prime examples of rappers becoming the modern day pop star.
When I think about pop music, I think about hip-hop music. I feel like Young Thug is the new pop star. Lil Uzi [Vert] is definitely the new pop star. Like, he’s definitely the new Blink-182. And I don’t think it’s weird! It’s just the progression of hip-hop. Hip-hop just became the monster that it was always supposed to be.
To read more on Ferg’s interview, click here.
