Cole's success and a pretty strong overall 2011 gave me hope that things were getting better and a balance could be reached, but again, Cole World wasn't a 100% lyrical tour de force in the manner of a F&L2. Cole can craft some pretty catchy songs and his album had a nice mixture but that Lupe album DESERVED widespread support and neither the fans who were crying about Lasers nor the people crying about "real hip hop" went out and copped it. It's crazy to me that Lasers can be conserved such a huge dissapointment and went onto become his highest selling first week album but F&L is a TRUE return to a natural form for him as an artist but can't crack 100k
Personally I bought the album, but I felt like the actual CD and the case was worthless. I'm not saying I buy CDs purely for the artwork and all that, but to literally have nothing, but a CD that I actually had to name the tracks for myself is kinda fukked up to consumers.
As far as the actual music, he completely delivered. The problem with it is music fans are fickle. When you have one misstep some of the fans that you spent YEARS building up lose faith in you. It seems ridiculous when you think of all the stuff he has gave us, that one bad album could deter so many, but I think thats what happened here.
I do agree with you though. We as fans of hip hop lost for that. When you have people that will complain about the current state of hip hop and then not even support someone really doing something real you have to shake your head at it. The labels basically pulled the card of hip hop fans. "

You wonder why we push this pop, bubble gum nonsense? It's because it sells."