You moving the goal posts clown. Point is that a LOT of major East Coast artists and hip hop artists in general were only going gold until around 96/97 with the shiny suit era. It was not frowned upon for you to be a gold artist at that point. Red had the respect of his peers and a loyal fan base and he hit plat with Muddy Waters so I REALLY don't see your argument when you continue to downplay his existence. Hell I bet if I would have put Method Man instead of Red that he would have lost by FAR but no one will debate his influenceIn 92',jay's album didnt drop till 96' and nas in 94'. And i wasnt looking at either as potential goats just off their first album.
and the CA song isn't on his album
2 almost EVERY rapper that wanted crossover appeal brought the pop artists and producers to THEIR projects. Red STAYED an underground artist...plenty of artists followed his blueprint.
and the 2 songs he did release with them are hardly commercial tracks...you are STILL grasping for straws 
