>1. is there an uptick of rappers who are tied to criminal
>activity? It seems like we're seeing this happen a bit more
>these days - then again...Slick Rick, Snoop & 'Pac

the bar for making rap songs is extremely low these days (not judging, just stating a fact) and there are a million kids and young adults making beats that they put out for free on YT and SC, and some big name producers are willing to sell top-tier work to enterprising young trappers. bars are hastily strung together over a beat. a eager-to-work videographer is hired and shoots a video in the trap house/complex. video goes up on YT and it gets a few million views. touring commences. merch gets sold. money gets washed. maybe a transition to actual rapping fame happens