In the NBA, once you get too old, and can't perform at a high level to attract potential fans with flashy highlight reel dunks, OR they feel you can't contribute to anymore to make the team a winner...OR they see a potential deal that makes them younger, in the process, they take. they trade you, they cut you, they drop you, and get younger/bring in what they feel "the people want", or what's best for your team.
The Rockets traded scottie pippen on that. The pacers traded dale davis (Who was an all star the year before), for a young jermaine O'neal. The Lakers traded shaq.
same with music. Not just Hip Hop. Look back..5 or 6 years. Nsync? the Backstreet Boys? Britney Spears? They were some of the highest selling artists back then. What happened to them? their fans grew up and stopped caring..so now what? You can't just close down the label, move on to the next big talent. Hilary Duff? Lindsey Lohan...Of course. They're younger, and will draw in the younger kids again. The same kids who wouldn't really like a 30 year old backstreet boys group.
Contracts are worth more. You can't spend a 2 million dollar pay roll on an artists project if you aren't CERTAIN it's what the people want. You take a risk with every new artist.
50 cent for example. Columbia records dropped him before releasing his first solo album. I'm sure they wish he was back there, pulling in the paper he's getting now. Hit or Miss.
It's a business. Sad but true.