Jay-Z, Foxy Brown: 20 Rappers Who Have Aged Badly, and 10 Who Still Look Good

Look around you; the pioneers of rap are returning to the stage and the studio, flexing their skills and giving the new school a history lesson and the old school a sweet taste of nostalgia. So, how do our pioneers rate as far as swag and performance when they appear at the Legends of Hip Hop tour? Or, the local concert circuit? Let’s take a look at 30 rappers and bands, some are looking good, and some are looking worse for the wear, and we’ll let you be the judge.

30. LL Cool J.

The ladies still love Cool James, as a 17-year-old (left) and as the 44-year-old, muscular host of this year’s Grammy awards.

29. Slick Rick the Ruler of yesteryear, and Slick Rick the Ruler of last year.

28. Salt N’ Pepa, fierce as ever.

27. Whodini in 1971, and again in 2010.

26. A Tribe Called Quest in 1991 and in 2011. Quite honestly, these brothers appear to get finer with time.

25. The Sugar Hill Gang in 1979 and in 2009.

24. DJ Quik has traded the Hawaiian silky curls for extensions.

23.  Snoop Dogg as a teen and today.

22. Mos Def in 1999 and today.

21. MC Lyte as a teenager, in 1991 and today.

20. Method Man from 90s Wu-Tang era and today.

19. Kurtis Blow in 1980 and break-dancing this year on the Legends of Hip Hop tour! Ageless, and priceless!

18. THIS is Kool Moe Dee.

17. JJ Fad, the “Supersonic” trio resemble superintendents today.

16. Jay-Z, as a teenager, the Blueprint years and today. Beyonce has selected one fine husband.

15. Ice-T in 1989 and in 2009 as Det. Tutuola on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

14. Foxy Brown in 1998 and today. Boy, that hand of hers has really gained weight, she can barely squeeze into that red glove!

13. This is Eve in 1999 and today.

12. Eric B. and Rakim in 1987 and today.

11. Eminem in 1997 and now.

10. De La Soul in 1989 and now.

9. Dr. Dre in 1993 and in 2012 at Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy party.

8. DMX then and now.

7. Cypress Hill in 1991 and now.

6. Bone Thugs N’ Harmony in 1996 and in 2012.

5. Big Daddy Kane in 1989 and in 2009.

4. Busta Rhymes

3. 50 Cent through the years.

2. Bow Wow’s debut (as Lil’ Bow Wow) and today.

1. Afrika Bambaataa, widely considered the godfather of hip-hop, shown here in 1980 and today, is still doing his thing.

– Zondra Hughes