What has J Cole taught these rappers? That being genuine goes much farther than any 
could get you. I'm not even a Cole fan, but I have to respect him. He sold 1 million in an era where that's near impossible. He even went farther than Plantworth, and that's saying something, seeing as how the critics TOLD you to like TPAB, whereas THE PEOPLE just enjoyed Forest Hills. He's got a good fanbase. Outsold Drake's two latest releases as well, wonder if Views will do those kind of numbers
The question is, do you think these other rappers could do the same? Young Thug? If he switched his MO and started just talking about real life and not bullshyt (huge thug fan but let's be honest here). Rick Ross? We all know how he sold.
I just can't help but wonder if the lower-tier, copycat rappers had made some genuine music instead of making "trap" and going triple dust bunny, then maybe they would have sold better/had better fanbases.
Look at Kevin Gates. He makes trap, but he mixes in enough lyricism and honesty to make him a compelling character to the public. People LOVE him and his fanbase is only growing. If he keeps it up he could be Cole-level.
What people don't realize is there is a HUGE market for this, these labels are sleep. People want what they call "real hip hop" even if it isn't really REAL HIP HOP. They want someone they can connect to, and getting a cult level fanbase is the way to survive these days.
could get you. I'm not even a Cole fan, but I have to respect him. He sold 1 million in an era where that's near impossible. He even went farther than Plantworth, and that's saying something, seeing as how the critics TOLD you to like TPAB, whereas THE PEOPLE just enjoyed Forest Hills. He's got a good fanbase. Outsold Drake's two latest releases as well, wonder if Views will do those kind of numbersThe question is, do you think these other rappers could do the same? Young Thug? If he switched his MO and started just talking about real life and not bullshyt (huge thug fan but let's be honest here). Rick Ross? We all know how he sold.
I just can't help but wonder if the lower-tier, copycat rappers had made some genuine music instead of making "trap" and going triple dust bunny, then maybe they would have sold better/had better fanbases.
Look at Kevin Gates. He makes trap, but he mixes in enough lyricism and honesty to make him a compelling character to the public. People LOVE him and his fanbase is only growing. If he keeps it up he could be Cole-level.
What people don't realize is there is a HUGE market for this, these labels are sleep. People want what they call "real hip hop" even if it isn't really REAL HIP HOP. They want someone they can connect to, and getting a cult level fanbase is the way to survive these days.
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J Cole says "bytch" as much as anybody out there. And I'm actually a Cole fan but if you are wowed by his "depth", you must be a casual rap fan who really isn't used to high-level lyricism cause Cole is very plain and understandable.