You have to allow people to do what'll make them happy.
Lauryn went to an Ivy, and was able to become one of the most important voices in music history, period. She left school to pursue a love of hers, music.
I respect anyone that's able to do what they truly love for a living. Makin' music is art, you're being creative and touching lives. It doesn't get any more respectable than that, unless you're saving lives. But how many times have these artists heard that a song of theirs helped someone get through some problem? Of course, it's respectable. As long as you're being true to yourself and have the right intentions, you're good.