everything matters it's all data and can be used to gauge interest to do more things like this. If you download the song and listen to it offline only then they can't get that data.
you can still download the song and stream it as well. but you can't say you want MORE of this and that from an artist then refuse to facilitate that by showing support in streaming. song was made for a playlist. if it's successfully engaging then more incentives like this would proceed logically.
older music audiences are the stiffest and most stubborn when it comes to understanding the new game. if you don't show up for the artist don't keep demanding product or expecting it.
Nas work with hitboy for a reason and is aware of the stuck in the 90's crowd hence the song reference. But you can't cater to people that don't show up when it's time to support. People want that Preemo album but if it drop you would see a ton of old heads asking for links. Every time one of these veteran rappers drop you got a bunch of people in the thread who don't even know how to stream music.
folks are gonna say "I've been waiting 10 years

get that preemo joint and throw it on a drive and watch it free fall of the charts cuz shyt ain't streaming. that's why that man made a relevant album that streamed well and won grammies, chose that over pleasing nostalgia addicts.