LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON (AND DAUGHTER): THE RAPO BABY ERA

GC Images | Arnold Jerock

It started as a trickle - a verse here, a feature there. But now? It's practically a flood. Young Thug, Childish Gambino, Kanye, Drake, Westside Gunn - they're all getting their kids involved in the family business. And let me tell you, some of these kids can spit!

via @itchyeyephotos

Take Legend Glover, Childish Gambino's son. This kid's out here rapping, "My mama knew she was feeding the goat." Talk about confidence! Then you've got North West dropping verses on her dad Kanye's tracks. Even Drake's son Adonis is getting in on the action.

But here's the thing - this isn't just about proud parents showing off their talented tots. It's happening right as hip-hop is going through some major changes.

Last year, hip-hop hit the big 5-0. But instead of a midlife crisis, it's having more of an identity crisis. For the first time in years, it's not the top dog in the US music scene anymore. Some folks are saying the genre is spreading thin, becoming a bit of everything and nothing at the same time.

And let's be real - the old guard is getting, well, old. Artists like Childish Gambino and Kanye aren't the hungry young upstarts they once were. They've grown up, had families, and their music has evolved with them.

Remember when Kanye's "808s & Heartbreak" dropped and everyone lost their minds over the auto-tune and vulnerability? Or when Gambino shocked everyone by barely rapping on "Awaken, My Love!"? These guys have always pushed boundaries, and now they're pushing them in a new direction - family-style.

This new trend - let's call it the "Rapo Baby" era - isn't about nepotism or forcing kids into the spotlight. It's more like these artists are bringing their whole lives, kids and all, into their art. North West isn't just rapping on Kanye's "Talking" - she's part of the conversation. Legend Glover isn't just featured on "Chaka Khan" - he's having a heart-to-heart with his dad.

But here's the kicker - while these tracks are sweet and all, they're not exactly club bangers. They're intimate family portraits set to a beat. Nice for the 'gram, sure, but not likely to top the charts.

And with rumors swirling that Childish Gambino's about to drop his last album and Kanye might be eyeing retirement, it feels like we're witnessing the end of an era.

But don't pour one out for hip-hop just yet. While it might be losing ground in the charts, its DNA is spreading everywhere. Country, Latin music, K-pop - they're all borrowing from hip-hop's playbook. It's like hip-hop is becoming the cool uncle of the music world, influencing everyone but letting the kids take center stage.

So yeah, these Rapo Babies might be ushering in a new era of music. It's just not the one you might expect. The future of hip-hop? It's all in the family.