Erick Sermon is applauding Clipse for reigniting the conversation around age and artistry in Hip-Hop, crediting the Virginia duo’s return as a cultural shift that challenges the genre’s long-standing ageism.
The Clipse reunion album, Let God Sort Em Out, released in July, marked their first full-length project in 16 years. Produced entirely by Pharrell Williams, the album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Independent Albums chart. Critics praised the duo—Pusha T and Malice—for their “lyrical versatility” and “inspired” production, noting how they blended their signature grit with a more seasoned perspective. Sermon said their return helped open doors for other veteran MCs like Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Nas all of whom have released recent albums through Mass Appeal. Public Enemy also addressed ageism on their latest project, Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 2025, released earlier this year. Chuck and Flavor Flav used the album to challenge the notion that Hip-Hop has an expiration date, asserting that experience should be celebrated, not dismissed.