Fall 01- to Fall 03 or whatever the time 50 came out, the rap game was going pop, a lot of 'fun' songs were being pushed.
Street rap was not on the radar in that time span.
A lot of 'love' songs, Nelly, Ja, Ashanti, Luda, Fab etc, that love R&B format was being pushed.
50 came out with Wanksta, and he made more of a street album which reopen the wave for street songs to be made.
Those streets rappers were able to make street records and have them played once 50 dropped and that's why I believe most ppl took his side in a sense.
That fun time in the rap game had ran its course.