>the face tattoos are Lil Wayne's influence
>
>the multi-colored hair is a product of oneupmanship, he has to
>look crazier than the last big rapper who looked crazy because
>that brand of internet hip-hop is based on attention, not
>music
>
>him being from New York is an utter non-factor in his
>popularity

It absolutely matters that "Mero" & "Cardi B" are from the Bronx. They don't exist anywhere else on the planet.

An act like Tekashi would have to come from NYC, it doesn't make any sense anywhere else.

French Montana has to be from NYC, people like him don't exist anywhere else.