Whether you like Ross or hate him, you have to respect what he put into his music formula. He's not a groundbreaking artist by any means, but what he has done is developed a music formula with multi-generational, multi-regional appeal. He stepped his bars up so that he's too lyrical to be another cookie cutter southern swag rapper. And his sound is radio-friendly and catchy enough to get the fans of YMCMB and all the current trendy stuff, but still street and lyrical enough to appeal to people in their 30's who used to listen to Biggie, Pac, Wu, etc. There's a reason why everyone from Drake to Raekwon fukks with dude. And he shows love to everybody and all eras. That's enough to build a fanbase that checks for your album every time one drops regardless of buzz and hype.
Not bad for a fat former C.O. who's pushing 40.