Lil Baby Refuses To Compare His Success Timeline To Jay Z

BY Erika Marie 17.6K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Brian Ach / Stringer / Getty Images, Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images
Jay Z, Lil Baby, Rap Life
Lil Baby won't think about comparing himself to successful artists of previous generations because he recognizes the advantages he has today.

Often, "Old Heads" in hip hop are criticized for not giving new generations of artists the benefit of the doubt. As generations grow and evolve, there will always be some hint of division, but elders have complained that some youngsters aren't giving them the respect they deserve. This isn't an absolute, because Lil Baby made it clear that he may have achieved more than others at his age, but it doesn't mean their successes should be compared.

Cindy Ord / Staff / Getty Images

During a recent chat with Ebro Darden for Rap Life, the radio and podcast host mentioned Jay Z in the conversation. Ebro noted that Lil Baby is 25-years-old with all of his success, adding that Jay hadn't even released his classic debut album Reasonable Doubt at his age (Hov was 26 when he shared that album). "I can't compare myself to nobody in that gap 'cause it is a lotta more sh*t nowadays," Baby said. "I got a whole Instagram with 10 million followers. No way Jay Z and them had [that]. It's so many different ways where I won't even let that get 'caught in my head."

"I'm smart enough to know it wasn't the same avenues, either," he added. "So I won't even put that type of sh*t in my head." Lil Baby also talked about wanting to have $100 million in the bank within five years, remaining focused so he doesn't go down the wrong path in his career, creating his hit album My Turn, and being included on the Queen & Slim soundtrack. Check out the interview below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.