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In LA, You're Never Too Old to Rap

Seniors learn to love the music in unusual class

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 3, 2009 12:33 PM CDT

(Newser) – A new crop of rappers is emerging in Los Angeles, and they have one thing in common: They’re senior citizens. Hip-hop artist Keith Cross started his unorthodox rap class in 2004 to show seniors “there is positive rap out there; we just have to look for it,” he tells the Los Angeles Times. “A lot of seniors are turned off by a lot of the negativity you hear in rap music.”

With Cross’ help, though, his students—even the 75-year-olds and grandparents of 28—soon have nicknames like “Lady P” and “Sneedy Weedy.” They perform their original raps at the end of the class. One even formed her own gospel rap group; she says the class taught her that “it’s never too late, no matter your age, to pursue your dreams.”

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Senior citizens are learning to rap in a Los Angeles class, the Times reports. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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Ellen Albertini Dow, as a rapping senior citizen, steals a scene from "The Wedding Singer" (1998). (moviescenes4u)

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I'll keep doing it until I can't stand up. I might need a cane next time, though. - Sarah 'Sneedy Weedy' Sneed, 75

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In LA, You're Never Too Old to Rap