But how long is the list of "et al"? I don't doubt that Dre likes those artists too. He's praised Kendrick Lamar in the past. But seriously, after a few names, how good is the quality of rap right now as a whole?
Lebron and Steph Curry are two of the best basketball players of all-time. Each is arguably the best player to ever play their respective positions. And barring injury, Victor Wembanyama will be one of the most spectacular players ever for the next 15 years. I can acknowledge that while also noting that the NBA as a whole is just not as good as it once was. Outside of some really phenomenal players doing some game changing stuff (like Kendrick or Tyler the Creator or Doechii), the rest is just not exciting to watch. And not to go on a tangent, it extends to college basketball where women's basketball is a much better product than the men's game right now (with better star power to boot).
I get the eye rolling over older generations saying things were better "back in my day", I don't think that's what he's doing. He's still DEEP in the rap game producing. He hears what's coming out as he's still an active participant, not some retired guy who doesn't know the name of the players he criticizing.
There was a time in hip-hop where there was truly diverse, innovative sounds emerging on the popular scene from all over from Arrested Development to Wu Tang Clan (I'm sure there's a Z that I'm overlooking for that analogy, ah well). I just don't hear that today. And I have tried. I have more music at my finger tips than I ever did and even with a teenager keeping my in the loop. The hip-hop scene is rough. I mean, I'm not commenting from the sideline. I'm going see Tyler in March and probably Kendrick too. I'm listening to new stuff, trying to anyway.